In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through Nigeria's political landscape, Senator Uche Ekwunife, the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, has exposed what she describes as massive vote buying operations allegedly orchestrated by the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Alarming Vote Buying Allegations Surface
Speaking to journalists shortly after casting her ballot at Polling Unit 001 in Nri, Anaocha Local Government Area, Senator Ekwunife expressed grave concerns about the integrity of the ongoing governorship election. The seasoned politician revealed that credible field intelligence indicated APGA's candidate, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, had allegedly distributed up to ₦5 million per polling unit to influence voters' decisions.
"Despite repeated warnings from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, we are witnessing vote buying on an unprecedented scale," Ekwunife stated, her voice filled with concern. She arrived at her polling unit around 11:34 a.m. to perform her civic duty, only to discover what she termed a systematic corruption of the democratic process.
Dangerous Setback for Nigerian Democracy
Ekwunife characterized the alleged financial inducements as a dangerous setback to Nigeria's democratic development and a blatant betrayal of the people's will. She lamented that numerous voters were being pressured through monetary incentives to vote against their conscience and genuine preferences.
"It is profoundly disheartening that instead of allowing Anambra citizens to freely choose their leaders, some political actors have chosen to corrupt the electoral process with money," she emphasized. The APC deputy candidate stressed that this monetization of democracy must stop immediately if Nigeria genuinely desires progress and development.
Despite these concerning allegations, Ekwunife acknowledged the impressive voter turnout across the state, describing it as a strong indication that Anambra residents are ready to demand accountability and meaningful change from their leaders.
Urgent Calls for Electoral Integrity
The senator issued a passionate appeal to security agencies and INEC officials to maintain utmost vigilance, impartiality, and firmness throughout the election process. She emphasized the critical need to ensure that the final election outcome reflects the genuine will of the people rather than the influence of financial power or intimidation tactics.
"The people's vote must count and must not be bought or coerced through any means," Ekwunife declared. "Our democracy's survival depends entirely on transparent and credible electoral processes that Nigerians can trust."
She expressed confidence in the APC's chances of victory, noting that the visible enthusiasm among voters demonstrated that Anambra citizens are tired of what she described as bad governance and economic stagnation under the current administration.
As Anambra residents continue to cast their ballots under watchful eyes, the election's conduct remains under intense scrutiny, with particular attention focused on efforts to curb vote buying and other electoral malpractices that could compromise the poll's credibility.
