By Prosper Olayiwola

At about 10am this morning, Voters turn out is gradually becoming impressive at Polling 013 registration Area 14 Umuleri 11 in Anambra East Local government.

Voters mostly old women and young ladies of voting age were seen queuing for accreditation and voting.

INEC officials are also using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS for accreditation which is working perfectly.

Security agents and officials of the ICPC deployed for the exercise were were alsp seen moving round to check vote buying and ensure orderliness.

Representatives of Civil society organizations, journalists and security agencies accredited by INEC are monitoring the exercise without any confrontation.

Despite the ongoing election in the State, commercial activities continued at most of the Markets with traders and residents going about their normal business.

The usually busy adjoining streets to the highway in the state capital was filled with vehicular movements, while stalls displaying foodstuffs, provisions, and other goods remained open.

One trader, Blessings Okpuno said she had no intention of voting because the election is predictable, adding that whether I vote or not, it won’t change the result.

“I have to fend for my family. From past experience, whether we vote or not, the hardship affects everyone.”

We need to put our daily income first before we think of voting. We have even lost confidence in the process,”

The 2025 Anambra governorship election encountered early technical setbacks at Polling Unit 001, Fegge, in Onitsha South Local Government Area, as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) failed to function properly, leaving frustrated election officials and restless voters waiting under the morning sun.

By 9:55 a.m., accreditation and voting had yet to begin. INEC staff on site made repeated attempts to restart the device, but the machine refused to authenticate voters. The officials later confirmed they were awaiting a replacement unit from the local commission office before voting could proceed.

While the situation in Fegge remained stalled, reports from other polling centres across the state indicated that voting had already begun smoothly. Some areas in Awka South, Ekwulobia, and Nnewi North recorded early turnout, with voters completing accreditation without delay.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier announced that 2,802,790 registered voters were eligible to cast their ballots across 5,718 polling units spread across Anambra’s 21 local government areas.

This year’s governorship contest spans the state’s three senatorial districts, featuring sixteen candidates vying for the top position. Among the major contenders are incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP), and Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Despite the hitch in Fegge, the mood among residents remained calm, though visibly tense. Some voters expressed quiet disappointment as they lingered near the polling unit, hoping the machine would be fixed in time for them to cast their votes.

As the delay persisted, officials at the scene maintained contact with INEC’s technical support team, raising hopes that accreditation would resume before noon.

For many in Onitsha, the malfunction served as an unwelcome reminder of the logistical hurdles that have long dogged Nigeria’s elections — and a test of INEC’s resolve to deliver a smooth, credible process in the face of inevitable challenges.

By Prosper Olayiwola

Super Eagles’ Head Coach Eric Chelle has announced a 24-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup African Play-off Tournament in Rabat, Morocco.

The team features experienced players like Captain William Ekong, ace forward Victor Osimhen, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, and defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey.

Other notable inclusions are 89-cap midfielder Alex Iwobi, exciting young defender Benjamin Fredericks, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Spain-based forward Chidera Ejuke have also made a comeback to the team.

The Super Eagles will face Gabon in the first semi-final at the 22,000-capacity Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat on Thursday. Defender Oluwasemilogo Ajayi will miss the match due to suspension.

Here’s the 24-man squad:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Maduka Okoya (Udinese FC, Italy)

Defenders:

William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia), Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders:

Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England), Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)

Forwards:

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey), Simon Moses (Paris FC, France), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain), Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain), Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)