By Monday Ajogun, Nnewi; Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu, Aguata; Peter Okolie, Osumenyi (Anambra)
Nov. 8, 2025
The Labour Party (LP)’s candidate, Dr George Moghalu, the incumbent, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer, Mr. Nicholas Ukachukwu, have all alleged vote buying at the ongoing governorship election in the state.
While Moghalu spoke to newsmen on Saturday shortly after casting his vote at Uruagu Ward 1, Nnewi, Soludo spoke after he voted at Polling Unit 002, Ofiyi Square, Umueze, Isuofia Ward 13, Aguata Local Government Area, and Ukachukwu made his own allegation in an interview shortly after casting his vote at Polling Unit 012, Umudimala Amaihe Hall, Osumenyi in Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state.
Moghalu urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rise to its responsibility of making the electoral process credible, also alleging voters apathy, attributing it to people’s lack of confidence in the electoral process.
He said that it was too early to confirm whether or not the process was free, fair and credible, noting that he was not impressed.
“I am not impressed; there were no issues of glitches, at least for now. As we go along to monitor the process, we’ll confirm.
“In terms of voting, there’s improvement against previous elections.
“I can’t say it’s free and fair because if you monetise a process, you weaponise poverty. What’s free about it?
“There’s no doubt there’s low voter turnout; and that has been the trend,” he said.
The LP candidate said that it was incumbent on INEC to keep improving on the process because voter apathy is the manifestation of loss of confidence of the people.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after voting at exactly 1:20 p.m on Saturday, Governor Soludo commended the INEC for conducting a peaceful and orderly election process.
“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,” he said.
Soludo, however, expressed concern over reports of massive vote buying in Nnewi South.
“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.
He expressed confidence in his party’s chances, saying the election would be won on the basis of ‘one man, one vote’.
On the large turnout of voters, Soludo noted that anyone on the queue before the official closing time of 2:30 p.m. would be allowed to vote.
He also alleged that a political party was planning 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 lauded residents for their peaceful conduct during the exercise.
Ukachukwu, the APC candidate in the poll, specifically accused the ruling APGA of vote buying across all polling units.
“From what I have been hearing, there has been reports of hitches and security challenges but largely, there have been vote buying.
“That has become the biggest menace that will witch hunt this country to a standstill. It will come to a point where leaders, who have the opportunity to be in power, will not be able to do anything,” he said.
Ukachukwu said that from one or two places that his people had visited, there were many things going on, including vote buying.
“It is a collective treasury that has been looted and given back to people to get back their mandate. It is a bad thing that everybody should condemn.
“So far, there has been no report of death or any major incidence of mishap,” he added.
The APC governorship candidate called for collective condemnation of what he called a bad practice, urging security agencies to live up to their responsibility of curbing electoral fraud.
He also claimed that one of his party agents was beaten up in Utuh in Nnewi South Local Government Area.
Ukachukwu, however, said that the exercising of his civic right was a proof that he was qualified to vote and be voted for.
In spite of the vote buying allegations, he expressed the confidence that his party would win the election.
“I believe God that winning is still possible because the day is still young,” he stated.
Ukachukwu commended INEC for the early arrival of materials and officials, which he said had improved the electoral process in the state.
