Anambra Residents Besiege Markets, Fuel Stations In Last-Minute Rush Before Election
Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State, many residents stormed major markets early on Friday to make last-minute purchases.
Although the restriction of movement that usually accompanies election exercises has not been officially announced by the authorities concerned, residents anticipate that there will be no movement on Saturday.
Hence, they are making last-minute purchases to avoid being caught unawares.
According to The PUNCH, it was gathered that activities at markets in major cities, including Onitsha, Nnewi, Obosi, Ekwulobia, and Awka, recorded a high volume of buyers and sellers engaging in one transaction or the other.
Apart from the markets, various motor parks also bubbled with heavy activity as commuters were seen travelling to their various destinations where they intend to cast their votes.
The Punch correspondent, who visited the motor park at UNIZIK Junction Market along the Onitsha–Awka–Enugu Expressway, Goodness and Mercy Motor Park in Upper Iweka, Onitsha, and New Triangle in Nnewi, among others, on Friday, observed a heavy presence of commuters waiting to board vehicles to their various destinations.
There was also a heavy movement of security personnel with armoured vehicles and increased security presence at strategic locations across the state.
Residents and motorists were also seen making last-minute purchases at petrol stations to avoid being stranded.
There were long queues of vehicles at the various petrol stations visited in the metropolis, including those buying PMS in jerry cans.
Customers also besieged various Automated Teller Machines and POS points to withdraw cash for purchases and other preparations ahead of the election.
Despite the rush, the environment remained calm and peaceful, with residents going about their normal business.
Similarly, most hotels visited in various communities were already fully booked by people, including election observers, journalists, party supporters, and voters.
It was observed that many people who had gone to book accommodation at most hotels ahead of Saturday’s election were stranded and disappointed when they were told that there were no more rooms available.
At the various hotels, there was a visible presence of operatives of the Department of State Services and police teams across Anambra State.
A manager at one of the hotels around Aroma, Awka — Resort Continental — Mr Martin Uzor, said, “As you can see, there are no more rooms at this hotel. All the rooms were fully booked by Thursday. All the people coming to request rooms were turned back.
“The reason is due to tomorrow’s election. Even security presence has increased on the premises because of the various dignitaries, external election observers, and party faithful who are lodging here. Some of them came with their personal security and bodyguards.”
Some of the residents who spoke to our correspondent in separate interviews expressed satisfaction and optimism about the calm atmosphere while urging peace during Saturday’s election.
A trader at the Main Market, Onitsha, identified as Grace Igwe, said, “My brother, today has been a heavy day for commercial activities. We are happy that everywhere is calm and peaceful ahead of tomorrow’s election. And we hope to see a peaceful process tomorrow. Give or take, by Monday, we should know our next governor.”
Another resident, a civil servant, Mercy Okonkwo, said, “I used the opportunity of today’s work-free day to make some purchases ahead of tomorrow. Although the authorities have not announced any restrictions yet, we hope they will be announced.
“We hope to see a free, fair, and credible process that will produce the candidate of the people’s choice. We only pray that people are allowed to exercise their franchise without any molestation.
“We can observe a heavy security presence across the roads today. Security should also be beefed up around the polling units to forestall any breakdown of law and order.”
Another resident of Nnewi, Chris Ndukaku, said, “I travelled all the way from Awka to Nnewi today so that I will be able to vote tomorrow. This was where I registered for my PVC.
“However, on getting here, I found out that I forgot my wallet, where my PVC is kept, in Awka. I had to send my daughter to waybill it to me through one of the buses.
“I expect to see a free, fair, and credible election tomorrow. INEC should ensure that everything works perfectly well and that people are allowed to exercise their franchise.
“A lot of people are willing to come out and cast their votes, and we are hoping that it will be a hitch-free exercise. By Monday, we should know our next governor.”
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission had declared full readiness for the governorship election slated for Saturday, November 8, 2025, in the 5,718 polling units across the state.
The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during a stakeholders’ meeting in Awka, said about 24,000 ad hoc staff would be deployed while about 540 journalists had been accredited to cover the election, adding that the commission was fully prepared for the governorship poll in line with its commitment to credible and inclusive elections.
According to INEC, 16 candidates from 16 political parties are contesting the governorship election to wrest power from the incumbent, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).