Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will host a high-level stakeholders’ summit on Tuesday in Awka to assess preparations for the November 8 Anambra governorship election.

The forum, set to take place at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre, will bring together key figures including former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku, oil magnate Arthur Eze, philanthropist Emeka Offor, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

All 16 governorship candidates, alongside security chiefs from the police, army, navy, NSCDC, and FRSC, civil society organizations, and media representatives, are expected to attend. The meeting underscores INEC’s commitment to collaborative oversight and transparency in a state where the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has held sway since 2006.

Administrative Secretary Obianyo K.C., speaking on behalf of Resident Electoral Commissioner Queen Elizabeth Agwu, said the forum aims to build public confidence in the electoral process, especially in light of past low voter turnout and procedural disputes. INEC’s voter education head, Ijeoma Obali, emphasized the importance of the distinguished guests’ participation, noting their presence would enrich the dialogue and reinforce public trust.

The summit will address logistical challenges such as ward congresses, ballot distribution, and accreditation systems for the 2.7 million registered voters.

INEC has pledged to deploy technology to improve efficiency and mitigate past glitches. While no controversies have emerged ahead of the event, stakeholders are expected to focus on security coordination and strategies to boost turnout, which stood at just 10 percent in the 2021 election.

The gathering reflects INEC’s broader effort to ensure neutrality and credibility in a politically competitive environment, as opposition parties seek to challenge APGA’s longstanding dominance.