Anambra Poll: Civil Society Laments Poor Accommodation for Security Personnel

 

Anambra Poll: Civil Society Laments   Poor   Accommodation for Security Personnel

NKIRU NWAGBO 

The Centre for Transparency and Advocacy (CTA) has criticized the Anambra State Government for failing to provide adequate accommodation and basic amenities for security personnel deployed to maintain peace and safeguard electoral materials and officials during the state’s 2025 governorship election.

Similarly Prof Alex Asuigbo of the Center for Transparency Advocacy observed that there was brazen vote buying by political parties adding that even voters were negotiating with party agents on how much they would be paid by parties before they cast their votes .

Asuigbo also decried what he called voter apathy in some polling units in Anambra West and Ayamelum local government areas observing that it would indeed affect the turn out of the election in terms of voters participation.

The Executive Director of CTA, Faith Nwadishi, made this known while addressing journalists on Saturday during the presentation of the organization’s preliminary report on the election.

Nwadishi expressed disappointment over the poor welfare conditions of security agents, describing the government’s failure to make suitable arrangements for them as “regrettable and unacceptable.”

“It is regrettable that the Anambra State Government could not make adequate provisions for the security personnel to stay and effectively carry out their duties,” 

 “Even in public buildings where many of them were camped, there was no provision for basic amenities such as water and electricity.”she said.

She warned that neglecting the welfare of security personnel could compromise their neutrality and effectiveness.

“There is no way security personnel can leave their homes and be subjected to such harsh and demeaning conditions without being tempted to compromise their duties. When you expose them to such vulnerability, you make them susceptible to inducement. They are human beings and deserve a minimum level of decency to perform their duties effectively,” Nwadishi added.

The CTA director also condemned the widespread incidence of vote-buying, which, according to her, occurred openly in the presence of security agents.

“It is unfortunate that some voters were willing to sell their votes to the highest bidder. I learned that some people even refused to vote because they were not paid,” 

 “In some places, those involved in vote-buying were openly haggling over prices. One of their was seen questioning why voters were being offered ₦2,000 instead of ₦5,000. Ultimately, it is the public that suffers when citizens sell their votes.”she said .

Nwadishi urged the Anambra State Government and relevant electoral stakeholders to address the welfare of security personnel and intensify voter education to curb electoral malpractice and strengthen democratic integrity in future elections.