Anambra Guber: Violence, vote-buying, and the exercise of

Claims of large-scale vote buying were among the many irregularities that plagued Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State.

Professor Chukwuma Soludo, the current governor, fought for reelection on Saturday under the banner of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), although he faced challenges from around fifteen other political groups, according to GISTCON.

Party leaders Soludo of the APGA, APC member Nicholas Ukachukwu, PDP member Jude Ezenwafor, and LP member George Moghalu were among the main challengers.

Reports of vote buying and pockets of violence marred the exercise, even though turnout was not dismal in numerous local government districts.

Secret ballots

Even though INEC and the police had issued multiple warnings, numerous candidates and party leaders continued to accuse each other of vote buying at polling places around the state.

Allegations surfaced that certain party agents were bribing voters with sums ranging from N20,000 to N30,000 in order to sway their votes.

According to people living in the Awka South area who voted, the APGA promised them N5,000 while the APC offered as much as N10,000 in exchange for their votes.

People are receiving N10,000 to N15,000 from various parties, according to what we’ve heard – Soludo

While voting in Ofiyi Square, polling unit 002, Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area, Governor Soludo voiced concern that certain political groups were attempting to buy votes in Nnewi South LG.

Someone in Nnewi South Local Government Area reportedly offered N15,000 for every vote, possibly due to his desperation to win the seat.

Please don’t take offence; I overheard it. Just let the people vote, and the results will be considered, even if they split 100,000 Naira. “There is no doubt about it; we are fairly convinced that we will win by a landslide based on one man, one vote,” he declared.

A cash incentive of N1,000 was offered to us in order to cast our votes.

An individual from Obosi, Idemili North LG, who were interviewed by the Anambra Broadcasting Cooperation (ABS), claimed to have been handed N1000 in exchange for their vote.

There were a few disgruntled voters who complained that the sum was “too small” over the air.

In Peter Obi’s opinion, vote buying is a major problem in our democracy.

During the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, expressed his dismay at vote buying and the state of Nigeria’s democracy. Obi cast his ballot at polling units 019, Umudim Akasi, Agulu ward two, Anaocha LG.

Those who are profiting from poor leadership appear to be contributing to the decline of our democracy, says the former governor of Anambra State.

I can hear and see what’s going on; it’s unfortunate that vote buying is still a problem.

“What is deeply concerning about our democracy is that an unemployed person can receive N30,000 in exchange for their vote. This implies that they have traded in their school, hospital, job opportunities, and future for nothing.”

An LP candidate has called the situation shameful.

George Moghalu, the Labour Party’s election candidate, also sounded the alarm, claiming widespread vote-buying in the state.

Speaking to reporters outside his home in Nnewi North LG, Moghalu characterised the current state of affairs as disgusting.

“This is an extremely humiliating and disgraceful scenario. Speculation about vote-buying has ended.

It occurred in the most recent by-election in a very forceful manner. Reports of the same thing happening this time around have been coming to me,” he stated.

Moghalu went on to say that he thinks the security services would crack down on the culprits.

He stated, “I expect that vote-buyers by now should have been caught and stopped” due to the large number of security officers brought into Anambra state for the election.

Three individuals have been apprehended by the EFCC on suspicion of being influence voters.

During the exercise, agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) allegedly arrested three individuals for vote buying.

The anti-graft agency reported that in Ward 2, Njikoka LG, a man named Emeka Ilokasia was apprehended for allegedly trying to purchase votes.

Similarly, Emuka Chuwudi was apprehended in Umunachi village, Dukonukofia LGA, and Nwachuwu Loretta in Ward 2 (008), Awkuzu, Oyi LGA.

As soon as investigations are completed, the accused “will be charged to court,” according to a brief statement from the EFCC.

Political thug violence

Despite appearances, there were reports of violence in certain areas of Anambra, particularly during the election.

Suspected political thugs stormed the Nri community and attempted to meddle in the process; the area is Senator Uche Ekwunife’s stronghold as an APC contender for deputy governorship.

But senatorial supporters retaliated, and the area descended into violence, which was subsequently subdued by police forces.

In a similar vein, a guy who was identified as a councillor in the Owerre Ezukala community in Orumba South Local Government Area was reportedly shot while trying to cast his vote in an attack by gunmen.

As the INEC uploads 99% of the results, Soludo takes the lead.

About eleven o’clock on Saturday night, the Results Viewing Portal had ninety-nine percent of the election results posted by INEC.

So far, the incumbent governor has a commanding advantage over the APC and their opponents.

The results, however, have not yet been compiled.