November 8, 2025
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has raised concerns over widespread vote buying in some polling units in Nnewi South Local Government Area during the ongoing governorship election.
Soludo made the statement shortly after casting his vote at Polling Unit 002, Ofiyi Square, Umueze, Isuofia Ward 13, Aguata Local Government Area, at about 1:20 p.m. on Saturday.
Speaking with journalists, the governor commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a generally peaceful and orderly process, but described reports of vote buying as “deeply troubling” for democracy.
“I have been getting numerous calls from across the state. I think it has been relatively peaceful and going smoothly. Though there are some glitches at polling units in Olumbanasa in Anambra West, where the BVAS reportedly did not work as expected, on the average, the election is going well,” Soludo said.
He, however, expressed concern that some voters in Nnewi South were allegedly being paid as much as N15,000 to influence their choices.
“The only concern we have received is in one or two places in Nnewi South where we understand that there has been massive vote buying. Some voters are being paid as much as N15,000,” he said.
Soludo expressed confidence in his party’s chances, saying the election would be decided by the people’s will through a fair and transparent process.
He also noted that any voter on the queue before the 2:30 p.m. closing time would still be allowed to vote.
The governor further alleged that a political party was plotting to manipulate results during collation.
“The only concern, and we hope it does not happen, is that one political party’s strategy is to swap results during collation. They even told their polling agents not to write results properly or upload them on IReV to create room for manipulation.
“But we have confidence in the system. Our people are vigilant, organised, and united. We will follow the process from the polling units to the wards, LGAs, and the state. If the system works as designed, we have no doubt that we will win all 21 local government areas,” Soludo said.
He commended INEC for the early commencement of voting and praised Anambra residents for their peaceful conduct, urging them to resist any form of vote buying or electoral malpractice. Visit GMTNewsng for more news.
