No fewer than 14 cases of political assassinations were recorded in Anambra State between 2022 and 2024, according to a report by the Cleen Foundation.
The report cautioned that the killings could pose serious threats to the conduct of the November 2025 governorship election in the state. The organisation’s Director of Programmes, Salaudeen Hashim, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the presentation of the foundation’s 2025 Anambra Governorship Election Security Threat Assessment Report.
Citing the report, Hashim said Anambra witnessed no fewer than 14 cases of politically linked killings in the last two years, a trend he described as “a disturbing element that requires urgent attention.”
He noted the killings were taking place against a backdrop of widespread insecurity, proliferation of small arms, kidnappings and the activities of armed groups, all of which pose risks to the coming election.
“Within the last two years, some really disturbing trends have emerged in Anambra, particularly political assassinations. 213+ deaths linked to violence from 2022 to 2024, nine INEC facilities attacked, and 14 political assassinations were recorded, among others.
“To have this number within such a short period is something that requires serious attention,” he said.
Ahead of the November gubernatorial election in Anambra state, a new report by Cleen Foundation has warned that the increasing spate of insecurity, voter apathy may threaten the successful conduct of the election
The civic organisation warned that the proliferation of small arms and the activities of various non-state actors, including political thugs and vigilante groups, pose critical security risks to credible election in the state. The report highlighted the high risk Local Government areas in the state to include Ihiala, Ogbaru, Nnewi South, Orumba North and Onitsha North.
In addition, it highlighted the emergence of armed cult groups in urban centres such as Awka South and Onitsha North has added to the complexity of the security landscape, adding that tensions has remained high within the state’s political scene as various interest groups realign ahead of the elections.
It also noted the recent clashes between party factions in Nnewi North and Oyi LGAs during ward congresses which exemplify how intra-party rivalries can escalate into violence if left unaddressed. Politicians continue to mobilise unemployed youth and cultist gangs as instruments of intimidation, particularly in competitive LGAS.
Noting the high rate of politicisation of information in the state, the report said that the high level of mis information, disinformation and mar information has become a big weapon in the hands of the politicians knowing that citizens have a bit of resentment against the government. He said politicians weaponise information and continue to put citizens in a state where they don’t have complete trust in their government.
He said one of the data they have analyzed showed that citizens don’t have trust in the government and the entire electoral process as they believe that it is a system that is already concluded before the election.
He noted that the report was presented to guide the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political actors, and other stakeholders in proactively addressing the multifaceted security risks ahead of the Saturday, November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election.
The Acting Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation Mr Peter Maduoma harped on the need for INEC and other stakeholders to up their game in winning the confidence of the electorate, saying looking at what played out during the 2023 general elections, voters may have lost confidence in the the entire process.
He further added that between January till date, about 63 people were kidnapped and the fears of further kidnaps at the election approach, either it is policy motivated or the regular crime.
With over 6000 polling units across the 21 LGAs, we are hoping to see an echo system that voters turn out and perform their civic right. He stated that to give opportunity for the state to respond to the security warnings, they will have a series of presentations a month to the elections, and also come up with an updated version of the report adding that they will also set up their security support center by the 7th of November to enable them monitor the situation.
