In recent months, Anambra State has witnessed a disturbing rise in political tension, violence, and insecurity, turning what should be a center of progress and commerce into a virtual war zone. Ordinary citizens, students, traders, civil servants, and even political leaders now live in fear, as the state grapples with heightened political rivalries ahead of the 2025 governorship election.
The question on everyone’s lips is simple: Why has Anambra suddenly become unsafe?
Politics in Nigeria has always been intense, but Anambra’s situation has taken a dangerous turn. The upcoming governorship election has fueled desperate struggles for power, with politicians and their loyalists deploying thugs, propaganda, and violence to secure advantage. Rather than focusing on development, many political actors seem more interested in controlling the state’s resources and political structure.
The consequence? The streets are no longer safe. Incidences of attacks, assassinations, kidnappings, and politically motivated killings have been on the rise. Communities are unsettled, and fear has replaced the peace Anambra once enjoyed.
Security agencies appear overstretched and sometimes accused of taking sides. The once-praised vigilante outfits like Agunaechemba and Udo Ga-Achi are now under scrutiny, with allegations of human rights abuses on one hand, and praise for their role in reducing crime on the other. This mixed perception further complicates the security narrative in the state.
For the ordinary Anambra resident, the reality is the same: safety is no longer guaranteed. Families are afraid to move freely at night, students worry about attacks on campuses, and businesses are counting losses due to the tension that keeps customers away.
While it is clear that the 2025 election has intensified rivalries, politics is not the only factor. The state also battles with long-standing issues of cultism, unemployment, and criminality, which politicians often exploit for selfish ends. What should be addressed with policy, empowerment, and education is instead weaponised as a tool of intimidation.
If this toxic political culture continues unchecked, Anambra risks sliding deeper into chaos. Investors will flee, development will stall, and ordinary citizens will pay the heaviest price. The struggle for the governor’s seat should not be a death sentence for the people.
Anambra’s leaders political, religious, and traditional must rise above selfish interests and prioritise peace. Security agencies must act decisively and impartially, ensuring that no politician is above the law. Civil society and student unions must also raise their voices against the militarisation of politics in the state.
The people of Anambra deserve better. Elections should be about ideas, not bloodshed. Governance should be about service, not survival. Until the political class embraces this truth, the state will remain trapped in a cycle of violence every election season.
By: Godwin Offor
