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Ukpa Ewa | August 30, 2025
AWKA —The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has organized a one-day workshop on Electoral Risk Management (ERM) for electoral officers, media, civil society organizations, security agencies and other stakeholders in Anambra State ahead of the November 8 governorship election. The workshop, held in Awka, was aimed at building a robust ERM stakeholders team for the state and developing risk mitigation strategies for a peaceful electoral environment.
Addressing participants, INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, said the workshop was timely as the state runs up to the election. She explained that INEC is mandated to conduct free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections, noting that ERM was introduced after the 2011 post-election violence. According to her, the initiative, developed with the African Union and international community, was domesticated in Nigeria to address local risks such as natural disasters, insecurity and man-made violence. She assured that INEC had identified flashpoints early for adequate security deployment and expressed confidence that the election would be successful and the winner declared.
On her part, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra State, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, said the workshop was designed to train staff and brainstorm on how to ensure the election is credible. She explained that the exercise was also to expose participants to electoral risk factors peculiar to Anambra. She commended security agencies for their continued collaboration with INEC and assured that the training would not be taken for granted.
In their separate remarks, CSP Emeka Chukwuemeka, Head of the Political Desk at the Anambra Police Command, and Mr. Shima Rhodes, Deputy Director of the Department of State Service in Awka, promised adequate security before, during and after the election. They urged INEC to intensify voter sensitization across the 21 local government areas to reduce voter apathy while commending the Commission for its efforts in strengthening democracy.
In her presentation, Dr. Jennifer Ikechukwu explained electoral risk factors, indicators, and levels, stressing that commitment is key to credible elections in a safe environment. She highlighted internal risks such as poor training of officers and problematic voter registration, and external risks such as violence, assassination, cultism, and armed robbery. She said the ERM tool helps track risks, predict possible threats, and guide informed decisions.
The workshop featured breakout sessions in senatorial districts for identification of risk factors and preventive measures, as well as question and answer session.
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