Anambra Governorship Election Marred by Vote Buying Allegations
The ongoing Anambra State governorship election has been rocked by serious allegations of electoral malpractice, with the African Action Congress candidate Chioma Grace Ifemeludike accusing the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance of systematic vote buying.
In a dramatic video recorded at a polling unit on November 8, 2025, the Nollywood actress turned politician exposed what she described as open and well-organized vote purchasing operations.
"Cooperative Transaction" of Votes Exposed
Ifemeludike revealed that voters were receiving between ₦3,000 to ₦5,000 immediately after marking their ballots, with the transactions being supervised by party agents. She expressed deep concern about the exploitation of poverty-stricken community members.
"This is criminal, and totally absurd," the AAC candidate declared. "If APGA claims to have all the popularity why then are they buying votes? They are criminalizing and polluting the polity, wasting our resources rather than channeling it to environmental and human development."
She painted a vivid picture of the scene: "It is so sad what is happening here, there is no election here, it is practically transactions going on all around here. When you vote, they will write your name and proceed to another section."
Widespread Allegations Across Parties
The vote buying scandal isn't limited to APGA alone. Election-day reports confirm that similar allegations have emerged against multiple parties participating in the Anambra State governorship election.
Nicholas Ukachukwu, the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, also raised concerns about vote buying during an interview after casting his vote at Polling Unit 012, Umudimala Amaihe Hall, Osumenyi in Nnewi South Local Government Area.
"From what I have been hearing, there has been reports of hitches and security challenges but largely, there have been vote buying," Ukachukwu stated. "That has become the biggest menace that will witch hunt this country to a standstill."
Despite the concerning developments, the APC candidate expressed confidence in his party's chances, noting that "winning is still possible because the day is still young."
Hypocrisy and Calls for Stiffer Penalties
Ifemeludike didn't mince words in her criticism of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo's party, accusing APGA of hypocrisy for claiming widespread popularity while allegedly engaging in electoral manipulation.
The actress-politician reiterated her earlier position that vote traders should face life imprisonment, emphasizing the need for severe consequences to deter electoral fraud.
She particularly highlighted the exploitation of vulnerable community members, noting: "When you look around, these are people going through physical hardship that you can almost touch it. These women, these elders are selling their votes for very cheap and it is well supervised."
Despite the controversies, there was some positive news about the electoral process. Ukachukwu commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for the early arrival of materials and officials, which he acknowledged had improved the electoral process in the state.
The #AnambraDecides2025 election continues to unfold with these serious allegations casting a shadow over the democratic process in one of Nigeria's most politically significant states.
