By Regina Igwebuike
As Anambra State prepares for the forthcoming Governorship election, the Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC), through its Project Impact, is calling on all registered voters to come out on November 8, 2025, to vote for the candidate of their choice, thereby making their voices count.
Ugochi Ehiahuruike, Executive Director SIDEC, made this call against the backdrop of the 2021 Governorship election, where about 10 per cent of registered voters voted, being one of the lowest in Nigeria’s electoral history.
According to her, with the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise concluded, Anambra now has 2.8 million registered voters. SIDEC expect a massive turnout in this poll.
“Active citizen participation is the bedrock of democracy. When citizens vote, they make their count, influencing leadership choices, ensuring accountability, and shaping policies that directly impact their daily lives—whether in education, healthcare, job creation, or infrastructure.
“By exercising their franchise, Ndi Anambra will demonstrate ownership of their future by strengthening the legitimacy of governance.”
Ehiahuruike emphasized that not voting has damaging consequences. It creates room for leadership that does not reflect the will of the people, weakens accountability, and leaves citizens powerless in decision-making processes. Apathy also emboldens bad governance and perpetuates the cycle of underdevelopment.
She appealed to traditional leaders, religious institutions, youth and women groups, and civil society organisations to join hands in mobilising communities, explaining that every single vote matters, and citizens’ participation is critical in determining the future of Anambra State.
Project IMPACT, SIDEC’s flagship intervention, is working towards increasing participation to at least 25 per cent turnout in the upcoming polls. This initiative is made possible with the generous support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room.
“Regina is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State*
