The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) took decisive action on Saturday, November 8, 2025, deploying officials to polling units across Anambra state to prevent vote buying during the crucial governorship election.
EFCC's Presence at Polling Units
Operatives of the anti-graft agency were spotted at Community Primary School in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area, monitoring the electoral process and intervening where necessary to maintain integrity. Their presence came as voters across the state filed out to choose their next governor.
An incident captured on video at Central School Utuh revealed a party agent accompanying a woman to the voting cubicle, a clear violation of election guidelines. The agent was heard asking "Ego ole?" meaning "how much?" in the local dialect, suggesting financial negotiation for votes.
Confrontation and Temporary Disruption
Election officials confronted the party agent about trespassing into restricted voting areas. The agent responded defiantly, claiming the voter had requested assistance and asserting his right to accompany her. The confrontation drew reactions from other voters present, who expressed their displeasure at the apparent attempt to influence the voting process.
Other party agents joined in confronting the individual, leading to a rowdy scene that temporarily disrupted election activities at the polling unit. The situation highlighted the ongoing challenges of maintaining order during Nigerian elections despite regulatory measures.
Election Observer Raises Alarm
Dimma Nwobi of the Situation Room, an election observation group, reported witnessing systematic vote buying operations. She expressed concern about party machinery collecting voters' cards and controlling the voting process in some areas.
"We saw that party machineries were collecting people's cards, INEC will give them forms to vote, and they give the forms back to party machineries, who will drop them in the ballot box," Nwobi stated. "They are actually buying votes, negotiating. It is sad."
Political Leaders Decry Election Monetization
Yunusa Tanko, national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, lamented that vote-buying was undermining the credibility of the Anambra governorship election. Speaking with journalists at Uruagu community in Nnewi North LGA, Tanko described the electoral process as heavily monetized.
"Our agents and coordinators are already on the ground in all 21 local governments. But painfully enough, the process, one way or another, is heavily monetized," Tanko revealed. "That has affected the election both on the part of the candidates and the electorate itself."
He called for definitive measures against both those who offer money for votes and those who accept it, emphasizing that the practice corrupts the democratic process.
Scale of the Election
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 2,802,790 registered voters were expected to participate in the election across 5,718 polling units in the state's 21 local government areas. The election featured 16 candidates competing across three senatorial districts.
The EFCC's intervention represents ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities to combat electoral malpractice, though the persistence of vote buying incidents suggests significant challenges remain in ensuring free and fair elections.
