Awka, Anambra State – November 9, 2025 – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has firmly dismissed claims of widespread vote-buying during Saturday's Anambra State governorship election, labeling the accusations as "baseless" and unsupported by verifiable evidence. This rebuttal comes amid a flurry of complaints from political candidates, observers, and social media users, who alleged rampant inducements at polling units across the state's 21 local government areas. As collation of results continues at the state headquarters in Awka, the controversy threatens to overshadow what INEC described as a largely peaceful and logistically sound exercise.
Queen Elizabeth Agwu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, addressed the allegations during an interview on Channels Television's News at 10 program late Saturday. "Vote-buying is a grave electoral offense, but if anyone has credible information, they must provide facts and figures. You cannot go on national television to make allegations without substantiating them," Agwu stated. She emphasized that INEC's situation room, which monitored the polls in real-time, received no confirmed reports of inducements from field officials, domestic observers, or international monitors. "Neither INEC staff nor observers, both local and international, reported any verified incidents of vote-buying," she added, underscoring the commission's commitment to transparency.
The election, held on November 8, featured 16 candidates vying to succeed or retain the governorship seat, with incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) facing stiff competition from Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP), among others. Preliminary results uploaded to INEC's Result Viewing Portal (IReV) by Saturday evening showed over 99% of polling unit results from 5,720 units digitized, with Soludo leading in several local government areas, including his home base in Aguata. However, full collation was ongoing as of Sunday morning, with turnout estimated at below 30% in many wards – a figure Agwu attributed to historical voter apathy rather than malpractices.
Accusations of vote-buying erupted early in the voting process, which officially commenced at 8:30 a.m. after INEC officials arrived at 49% of polling units by 7:30 a.m. – an improvement over the 28% punctuality rate in the 2021 election. Governor Soludo, after casting his vote in Ekwulobia, Okka ward, alleged that voters in Nnewi South Local Government Area were offered up to ₦15,000 ($9) per vote by unnamed opponents. "This is monetizing poverty and weaponizing it against democracy," Soludo remarked, expressing confidence that APGA would prevail "by a landslide" despite the inducements. Similarly, APC candidate Ukachukwu, speaking from his polling unit in Idemili North, claimed his agents faced intimidation and that "vote-buying was widespread," particularly in APGA strongholds. LP's Moghalu echoed these concerns, stating, "You can't call it free if you monetize it," and urged INEC to investigate to restore public trust.
Civil society observers painted a more alarming picture. The Anambra Election Observation Hub, a coalition of over 20 non-governmental organizations, reported "widespread vote-buying" in areas like Orumba North and South, where voters were seen negotiating with party agents near polling units. In one documented incident in Ihiala Local Government Area, a Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) observer was harassed and had their phone confiscated while filming alleged inducements at Mary de Queen Primary School polling units 015 and 017. The group also flagged low turnout, logistical delays in rural wards, underage voting in Orumba South, and breaches of ballot secrecy, where voters displayed marked ballots to agents. "While the poll was relatively peaceful, these irregularities undermine the process," the hub's coordinator, Nneka Okafor, said in a preliminary report released Sunday.
Social media amplified these claims, with videos and photos circulating on X (formerly Twitter) showing groups of voters allegedly receiving cash envelopes from party loyalists. Posts from users like @AdaAnambra2023 highlighted Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrests of three suspected APGA-linked vote-buyers in Awka, though INEC clarified that such isolated interventions do not indicate systemic issues. Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) demanded that INEC "identify, name, and shame" perpetrators, threatening legal action if sponsors – regardless of party affiliation – escape prosecution. "Impunity for vote-buying erodes democracy," SERAP's executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, warned.
INEC's pre-election preparations had emphasized anti-inducement measures. Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan, in his first major off-cycle poll since assuming office, warned security agencies at an October 28 Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting to prevent environments conducive to vote-buying. "Security agents cannot afford to create spaces for vote-buyers," Amupitan said, noting collaborations with anti-corruption bodies. Over 45,000 police officers, backed by other agencies, were deployed statewide, with Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun's representative, Commissioner Abayomi Shogunle, hailing the operation as a success for maintaining peace. INEC also extended Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection until November 2, registering 140,370 valid new voters from a pool of 2,802,790 eligible ones, though only 63.9% collected their cards initially.
Critics, however, argue that INEC's response falls short. Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, voting in Agulu, Anaocha LGA, called on Amupitan to prioritize curbing inducements, describing the practice as "intolerable." Obi's intervention drew widespread attention, with X users like @PeterRaph4Obi demanding election cancellation and party disqualifications. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has vowed to sue if investigations stall, citing Sections 121 and 127 of the Electoral Act 2022, which criminalize bribery and undue influence with fines up to ₦500,000 ($300) and two-year jail terms.
This is not Anambra's first brush with such scandals. The 2021 election saw similar complaints, contributing to a 10% turnout dip. Historically, the state – a political bellwether since the Second Republic – has grappled with apathy, exacerbated by economic pressures. Pre-poll surveys by the Anambra Election Observation Hub predicted a 25-30% turnout, blaming poverty and distrust in institutions. Despite this, Agwu praised the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for minimizing over-voting, with mock accreditation tests resolving network glitches.
As results trickle in, the vote-buying row could fuel post-election litigation. APC and LP agents have vowed to challenge outcomes in areas like Nnewi and Orumba if irregularities persist. International observers from the European Union and Commonwealth, who monitored 200 units, commended logistics but urged probes into inducements. For now, INEC insists the process was credible, urging stakeholders to await final figures expected by Monday.
The Anambra poll underscores Nigeria's enduring electoral challenges: a democracy where cash often trumps conviction. With federal elections looming in 2027, Amupitan's INEC faces mounting pressure to enforce the law rigorously. As one observer noted, "Elections aren't just about votes; they're about voices. When money drowns them out, we all lose." Whether this dismissal quells the storm or ignites further scrutiny remains to be seen.
