Anambra Election 2025 : Stakeholders Brainstorm on Rising Voter Apathy

 

By Ukpa Ewa Eke

With less than two weeks to the November 8, 2025 governorship election in Anambra State, stakeholders have expressed deep concern over the growing level of voter apathy, describing it as a major threat to democratic participation and good governance.

This concern was the focus of a one day brainstorming meeting held in Awka with the theme “Reignite the Voice: Mobilizing for Electoral Participation,” organized by African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) in partnership with International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC) under the Strengthening Transparency, Accountability and Governance Process (Stage 2 Project).

The meeting brought together key representatives from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), National Orientation Agency (NOA), National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), traditional and religious institutions, civil society organizations and the media to deliberate on ways to rekindle citizens interest in the electoral process.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Anambra Civil Society Network and President of IPCRC, Prince Chris Azor said the initiative was designed to strengthen transparency and accountability in governance through active citizen participation. He emphasized that the persistent low voter turnout in Anambra calls for urgent multi-sector collaboration to restore confidence in the system.

Delivering a welcome address, the Executive Director, Centre LSD, Mr. Monday Osasah, described election as the vehicle that drives democracy and development. He urged participants to take ownership of the process by implementing the outcomes of the engagement, noting that credible elections remain the foundation for sustainable governance in Nigeria and beyond.

Also, the NOA representative, Mr. Tagbo Igboka, in his goodwill message, revealed that the agency has been conducting continuous voter sensitization across communities, but indifference toward elections persists. He said the meeting provided a platform to identify the root causes of apathy and design strategies to encourage citizen participation in the forthcoming election.

While the NCWS representative, Lady Theresa Nnalue, expressed concern that persistent voter apathy could undermine the future of democratic governance in Anambra. She disclosed that her organization has earlier commenced voter education and town hall meetings with women across the state to raise awareness on the importance of participation in elections.

On his part, the Managing Director of Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office (ANCISRO), Sir Chuka Nnabuife, commended the organizers for facilitating the engagement, describing voter apathy as one of the key challenges confronting the nation democracy. He called on civil society groups, faith based organizations to intensify public enlightenment ahead of the November 8 poll.

Presenting his keynote address titled “Voter Apathy and the Quest for Effective Grassroots Participation in Governance in Anambra State: Towards Sustainable Solution,” a lecturer with the Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Dr. Henry Chigozie Duru, identified voter apathy as a deliberate reactions by citizens arising from distrust in leadership and poor governance outcomes. He highlighted in security, lack of credible candidates and weak civic education as major causes of the problem.

At the end of the meeting, stakeholders unanimously agreed that the only way to tackle voter apathy is through sustained civic education, inclusive governance and institutional accountability. They called for joint action among INEC, NOA, civil society groups, religious and traditional institutions and the media to promote trust, rebuild citizens confidence, and encourage active participation in the forthcoming governorship election.