PRESS RELEASE – Anambra Guber Pre-Election Poll: Soludo in early lead over Ozigbo

Abuja, Nigeria. November 2^nd, 2021 – Ahead of the forthcoming Anambra State Gubernatorial elections slated for November 6^th, 2021, a new public opinion poll conducted by NOIPolls has favoured Professor Chukwuma Soludo, candidate of the All-Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in an early 11-point substantial lead over Valentine Ozigbo, candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP).

The poll was conducted between 7th and 12th October 2021, and it sought to assess the preparedness of voters towards the forthcoming Governorship election in Anambra state. From the results of 500 randomly selected legible voters across all the LGA in Anambra state and interviewed via telephone: Professor Chukwuma Soludo polled 20 percent; Valentine Ozigbo polled 9 percent; Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah of YPP (7 percent); and Andy Nnamdi Uba of APC (6 percent) amongst other candidates.

Interestingly, the poll also revealed that while 91 percent of respondents claimed to have obtained their Permanent Voters Card (PVC), 53 percent were certain they would come out and vote for the gubernatorial candidate of their choice on 6th November 2021. However, despite this level of optimism and preparedness, a significant proportion (54 percent) of legible voters remain either undecided or simply refused to divulge their choice of candidate. In addition, the poll revealed that a significant proportion of legible voters (34 percent) are skeptical about coming out to vote in the forthcoming election mainly due to insecurities.

Further findings indicated that while Professor Soludo appeared to enjoy significant support across the three senatorial districts of the state, Anambra North (20 percent), Anambra Central (22 percent) and Anambra South (20 percent); Ozigbo’s support base was observed mainly in Anambra North (16 percent) senatorial districts. Similarly, the poll highlighted Soludo’s support across all age categories ranging the working-class of ages 36 to 60 years (24 percent), the senior citizens aged 61 and above (21 percent) and the youths aged between 18 and 35 years (17 percent); compared to Ozigbo’s whose support averaged 10 percent across all age categories.

In conclusion, this poll has Soludo in an early lead for the November 6th governorship election in Anambra state with a significant 11-piont lead over the next candidate, Ozigbo. However, the forthcoming election remains a strongly contested race considering the significant proportion of voters (54 percent) who remain either undecided or seek confidentiality as to their choice of candidate meaning the results can still swing.

About NOIPolls & the Poll Methodology

NOIPolls is Nigeria’s premier public opinion polling institution, which conducts periodic opinion polls and studies on various socio-economic and political issues in Nigeria. More information is available at www.noi-polls.com.

The poll was conducted between 7th and 12th October 2021. It involved telephone interviews of a random state-wide sample in Anambra State. 500 randomly selected phone-owning residents of the state aged 18 years and above, representing the three senatorial districts of the state, were interviewed. With a sample of this size, we can say with 95% confidence that the results obtained are statistically precise – within a range of plus or minus 4.65%. Of the 500 completed interviews, 50 percent were male and 50 percent female respondents. Samples for the poll were selected randomly for the senatorial districts in representation of the state’s population – Anambra North (27 percent), Anambra Central (35 percent), and Anambra South (38 percent). Also, 28 percent of respondents were aged between 18 and 35 years; 61 percent between 36 and 60 years; and 11 percent above 61 years. In terms of employment status of respondents, top 5 respondents are: Self-employed traders (34 percent), Businessmen/women (18 percent), Civil servants (12 percent), professional workers (8 percent), and Farmers/Agric workers (7 percent).