By Alfred Ajayi
Elections in Anambra State stand out for their sophistication, voter awareness, and unique political culture. This feature explores the state’s independent political identity, zoning system, godfather politics, and the evolving challenge of vote buying.
Anambra State, in Nigeria’s South-East, has earned a reputation for producing some of the most engaging, unpredictable, and intellectually charged elections in the country. From Awka to Nnewi, Onitsha to Aguleri, politics in Anambra is not just about power — it’s about identity, pride, and a people’s unyielding resolve to determine who governs them.
Every election season brings a spectacle of passion and persuasion, reflecting a political culture as dynamic as the state’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Anambra’s electorate is among the most politically conscious in Nigeria. High literacy levels and exposure to global trends have made voters more discerning and analytical. They tend to vote for candidates based on merit, capacity, and track record rather than party loyalty.
This explains why Anambra often defies national political patterns. The enduring success of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), a homegrown party rooted in the legacy of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, remains one of the clearest proofs of this independence.
While national political parties like the PDP and APC dominate elsewhere, Anambra voters consistently prioritize credibility and performance over big-party influence.
Godfatherism and equitable zoning formula
Despite its enlightened voter base, Anambra’s politics is not free from the influence of powerful political godfathers. Wealthy individuals and influential elites have historically shaped candidacies, funding, and election outcomes.
Yet, the state’s people have shown remarkable resistance to external control. Episodes such as the 2003 and 2006 political crises revealed an electorate willing to defend its choices and reject imposition. This resistance has since become part of the Anambra political DNA — a reminder that, ultimately, power rests with the people.
Power rotation or zoning among Anambra’s three senatorial districts — North, Central, and South — has become an informal but respected political convention. It ensures inclusion and reduces ethnic or regional rivalry.
Debates about “whose turn” it is to produce the next governor often dominate pre-election conversations, reflecting the people’s sensitivity to balance and fairness. The zoning arrangement has, over time, helped preserve peace and inclusivity in the state’s leadership structure.
Voter apathy
Perhaps the most peculiar contradiction in Anambra’s political story is the persistent voter apathy that plagues elections. Despite high political awareness and vocal engagement, actual voter turnout remains strikingly low.
For instance, in the 2021 governorship election, fewer than 11 percent of registered voters participated — one of the lowest figures in Nigeria’s electoral history. This paradox reflects a deep-seated disillusionment among the electorate, many of whom believe that votes do not truly count or that politicians quickly abandon campaign promises once elected.
Factors fueling apathy include distrust in electoral institutions, fear of violence or intimidation, poor logistics, and the perception that politics has become a game for the wealthy and connected.
Analysts also point to the disconnect between the state’s vibrant political discourse which is often dominated by elites and online voices and the lived realities of rural voters who feel alienated from governance outcomes.
Civil society groups and faith-based organizations have consistently urged citizens to reverse this trend, emphasizing that low turnout only strengthens political manipulation and weakens the people’s collective power to demand accountability.
Insecurity, electoral tension and vote trading
Elections in Anambra are high-stakes contests, and tensions often run deep. Security agencies usually deploy heavily to prevent violence, ballot snatching, or intimidation.
Yet, compared to other parts of Nigeria, the state records fewer cases of large-scale violence — largely due to the population’s aversion to chaos that could disrupt business and economic life. The average Anambra voter values peace and stability as prerequisites for prosperity.
In recent election cycles, vote buying has emerged as a major concern. Despite their sophistication, some voters have succumbed to the lure of cash and gifts. Civic groups and church leaders have continued to condemn the practice, warning that it undermines democracy and inflates the cost of governance.
Religion subtly influences politics in Anambra. The population is predominantly Christian — mainly Catholics and Anglicans — and denominational affiliations occasionally shape political alignments. However, civic consciousness remains high.
Journalists, youth groups, professional associations, and NGOs play active roles in promoting accountability and encouraging issue-based campaigns across the state.
Ultimately, elections in Anambra reflect a people who take pride in their independence, intellect, and courage. The state’s electorate has consistently shown that it cannot be easily swayed by propaganda or intimidation.
In Anambra, the ballot box is not just a tool for choosing leaders but also a platform for asserting identity, demanding accountability, and reinforcing the principle that governance must serve the people, not the powerful.
