Originally launched ostensibly to defend ethnic Igbos from herdsmen and government attacks, the separatist organization Indigenous People of Biafra's Eastern Security Network began violently enforcing economically destructive weekly lockdowns in 2021 and swiftly were criticized for committing human rights abuses against civilians it was meant to protect.

[2][3] These atrocities coupled with law enforcement brutality and herder–farmer clashes worsened the security situation prior to the election.

[4] Politically, the 2019 elections were categorized by competitive contests between the state PDP and APGA.

Statewise, the majority of House of Assembly seats were won by APGA.

For the presidency, Anambra was easily won by PDP nominee Atiku Abubakar by an 81% margin of victory.