Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has raised serious allegations of vote buying against an unnamed opposition party during the Saturday, November 8, 2025 governorship election in the state.
Election Day Accusations
The Governor, who is seeking re-election under the banner of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), made these claims after casting his vote alongside his wife at Ofiyi Square Polling Unit 002 in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area at approximately 1:25 p.m.
Soludo expressed confidence about securing victory, but only if the electoral system functions according to the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines. He revealed that reports from his campaign team indicated APGA was heading toward a clean sweep of all 21 local government areas in the state.
Specific Incidents and Parallel Allegations
While describing the election as generally peaceful, Governor Soludo highlighted significant exceptions. He pointed to technical challenges with the BVAS device in Olumbanasa, Anambra West Local Government Area. More alarmingly, he alleged massive vote buying in Nnewi South, where voters were reportedly being paid between ₦15,000 and ₦20,000 per vote.
Soludo further accused a particular candidate of desperate measures to win, including allegedly inducing electoral officers to delay uploading results, potentially to substitute them with falsified written results.
Echoing these concerns, the Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, also decried rampant vote buying after voting at his Umudim/Akasi Ward around 11:50 a.m. Obi stated that votes were being purchased for even higher amounts, between ₦20,000 and ₦30,000.
A Threat to Democracy
Peter Obi lamented the deterioration of Nigeria's democracy, noting that the very citizens who suffer from bad governance are enabling it through vote selling. He issued a stark warning to voters, stating, "if you sell your vote for ₦30,000, what is he going to be paid next month? By selling your vote, you're selling no school, no hospital, no job; you're selling away your future."
Obi called on journalists to collaborate in saving the democratic process, contrasting the situation with elections he has observed in other West African nations where such practices are not prevalent.
Regarding the election outcome, Obi, while expressing support for the Labour Party candidate, clarified that he is not on the ballot and is focused on his presidential ambitions. He wished all candidates well, emphasizing that whoever emerges victorious must prioritize serving the people of Anambra State.
