Anambra Guber Poll: EU Decries Misuse of Vigilante Groups, Attacks on Candidates

*NSCDC deploys 10,250 operatives 

 Michael Olugbode and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja 

The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) has decried the misuse of vigilante groups and continuing attacks on candidates ahead of the November 8 Anambra State governorship election.

Executive Director, International  Press Centre (IPC), Lanre Arogundade, made the call on Thursday in Abuja during the public presentation of the Anambra Governorship pre-election report.

Highlighting the key findings of  the report, Arogundade noted the security dynamics in Anambra State revealed a critically volatile pre-election convergence of traditional communal conflicts, pervasive political thuggery, and a significant erosion of institutional trust across all three Senatorial Zones. 

He emphasised that the state has emerged as the clear epicentre of this insecurity, plagued by cult killings, kidnappings, and clashes fuelled by intense political and communal toxicity, particularly in hotspots like Ihiala and Orumba South.

Arogundade stressed that the zone was dominated by the problematic involvement of local vigilante groups and was susceptible to both ethnic and denominational tensions. 

He said across the state, electoral integrity was fundamentally undermined by rampant electoral offences. 

Arogundade noted that vote trading was a significant reported offence, often facilitated by informal local networks and supported by cult or vigilante groups that distribute cash and inducements to distort the electorate’s choice. 

Meanwhile, over 10,000 operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had been deployed to Anambra forthe election.

A statement by the spokesman of the Corps, Afolabi Babawale, said the deployment was ordered by the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Audi to forestall beach of security during the election in the Southeastern state.

He revealed that the over 10,000 operatives deployed included tactical forces from the Corps’ National Headquarters. 

Babawale said the CG, while addressing the State Commandants and Heads of tactical squads, disclosed that the deployment hinged on the need to collaborate with the Nigeria Police as the lead agency in Election duty.

He noted that with effective coordination, cooperation and collaboration amongst the security agencies, there would be a violence-free elections.