Unusual Calm Descends on Commercial Hub
The bustling commercial city of Onitsha experienced an extraordinary transformation on Saturday, November 8, 2025, as movement restrictions took effect during the Anambra state governorship election. The typically vibrant streets and markets that normally buzz with intense commercial activity fell into an unusual silence as residents complied with the electoral guidelines.
Security Forces Maintain Tight Control
Armed security personnel from multiple agencies including the military, police, and paramilitary forces established a strong presence across strategic locations in Onitsha. Key areas such as Upper Iweka, Awka Road, and the Main Market axis saw heavy patrols and multiple checkpoints. Security convoys moved through the city throughout the morning, monitoring compliance and preventing potential disturbances.
While most businesses and markets adhered strictly to the movement restriction order between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., some tricycle operators, popularly known as Keke Napep, chose to defy the directive. These few operators continued plying the roads in search of passengers despite the general compliance observed among local traders, artisans, and market women.
Residents Respond to Security Measures
Anonymous residents expressed appreciation for the visible security deployment, noting that it provided a sense of safety amid concerns about potential electoral violence or disruption by miscreants. The high level of compliance with movement restrictions reflected both cautious optimism about the electoral process and respect for the substantial security presence across the state.
Civil society groups monitoring the election expressed confidence in the peaceful conduct of the voting process. Jake Epelle, Founder of TAF Africa, emphasized during his election monitoring exercise that the general atmosphere in Anambra remained calm. In a Channels TV report, Epelle noted that "The security situation is not something to worry much about. The Anambra people are peace-loving. Everyone wants to ensure they don't shed their own blood, so they find ways to secure themselves."
The election atmosphere in Onitsha remained largely peaceful throughout the voting period, with no major incidents of violence or unrest reported by the time of filing the initial report.
