By Adewole Kehinde
As Anambra State prepares for the crucial governorship election scheduled for Saturday, 8th November 2025, the atmosphere is one of confidence, order, and renewed faith in democratic institutions.
This commendable climate is no coincidence; it stems from the deliberate, strategic, and visionary leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, whose commitment to ensuring a free, fair, and peaceful election deserves unequivocal applause.
IGP Egbetokun has once again demonstrated what it means to lead with integrity and purpose. By creating an environment of absolute security and trust, he is reinforcing the foundational pillars of democracy, fairness, safety, and public confidence.
His integrated, intelligence-driven operational plan is not only proactive but also highly sophisticated, meticulously crafted to prevent any form of electoral infraction, neutralise threats before they emerge, and secure every stage of the electoral process.
Elections in a dynamic and sensitive state like Anambra require precision, patience, and preparedness. The IGP has shown all three. With the Nigeria Police Force serving as the Coordinating Lead Agency in strict compliance with the Electoral Act 2022, a strong, multilayered deployment plan has been activated through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
This deployment, across all twenty-one local government areas, is strategically designed to guarantee presence, deterrence, and swift response whenever required.
Importantly, the Nigeria Police, under Egbetokun’s command, has reaffirmed its allegiance not to political interests or individuals, but to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to the sovereign will of the Nigerian electorate.
That declaration sends a powerful message: the Force shall remain neutral yet assertive; civil yet firm; professional yet unyielding in defending democratic order.
Crucially, the IGP has made it unmistakably clear that no group, armed or unarmed, overt or covert, holds the authority to dictate movement, obstruct lawful voting, or challenge the sovereignty of Nigeria.
Any attempt by IPOB, ESN, or any other non-state actor to interfere with the election will attract an immediate, coordinated, and overwhelming law-enforcement response. Precision-targeted intelligence operations are already in motion to identify, isolate, and dismantle any network plotting intimidation or violence.
In addition, the activation of a Zero-Tolerance Enforcement Protocol sends a strong signal: professionalism will be matched with decisiveness. Nothing short of complete compliance with electoral laws will be tolerated. This clarity of mission extends to the digital space as well.
The deployment of specialised cybercrime units reflects modern policing intelligence, monitoring, tracing, and countering fake news, misinformation, and coordinated online propaganda. Those who weaponise misinformation to disrupt peace or discredit the process will not escape accountability under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
To the good people of Anambra State: you are not alone in this process. The Nigeria Police stands before you as the Shield of the Constitution. You are encouraged to exercise your right to vote freely and fearlessly. The mission of the police is clear and unwavering: to defend the law, preserve peace, and uphold the sovereign will of the people.
With the structures already in place and the unwavering stance of IGP Egbetokun and Nigeria’s security agencies, the order will be absolute. Democracy in Anambra will not be threatened, nor will the voice of the people be silenced.
I commend the Inspector-General of Police for his leadership, foresight, and unshakeable commitment to a peaceful and credible election. The nation watches Anambra, and with this level of preparedness, confidence is not only justified, it is assured.
Adewole Kehinde is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja. @kennyadewole kennyadewole@gmail.com, 08166240846
