ANAMBRA GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION: TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK AS NIGER BRIDGE CORDONED OFF FOR SECURITY
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Traffic congestion has gripped parts of Onitsha following the closure of the Niger Bridge as the 2025 Anambra governorship election gets underway.
The bridge, which serves as a vital link between Anambra and Delta states, was cordoned off early Saturday to restrict vehicular movement and ensure the safe transportation of election materials and personnel.
Several commercial trucks and vehicles were left stranded, resulting in a buildup of traffic around the bridge area. Witnesses said security operatives were stationed at multiple checkpoints to maintain order and enforce movement restrictions.
Despite the temporary gridlock, voting commenced peacefully across the state, with officials deployed to more than 5,700 polling units across the 21 local government areas. By 8:30 a.m., electoral activities were reported to be in full swing at Fegge Community Primary School in Onitsha and other parts of the state.
In Aguata Local Government Area, some traders at Nkwo Igboukwu market were seen conducting business despite the poll. However, market leaders later ordered shops to close to encourage voter participation.
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, urged strict compliance with electoral guidelines, stressing that “no excuses for failure will be accepted.”
Meanwhile, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Shogunle, assured residents that security threats had been neutralised in identified high-risk areas.
Sixteen candidates are contesting in the election across the state’s three senatorial districts, with close attention on voter turnout and the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.
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