Election Day Violence and Vote Trading Overshadow Anambra Poll
The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development has raised serious concerns about the conduct of the Anambra State governorship election, reporting multiple incidents of voter intimidation, observer harassment, and widespread vote buying across polling units.
According to the organization's field report released on November 9, 2025, accredited election observers faced direct threats and physical assaults while documenting electoral malpractices, despite the heavy security deployment throughout the state.
Observers Targeted While Documenting Malpractices
In Bunukofia Local Government Area, specifically at Ezeumuezechua 1 and 2 polling units, a CJID monitor was aggressively harassed by a local resident and had to retreat for personal safety. The situation escalated when another observer in Anambra East LGA, specifically at Igbariam Ward 5, Polling Unit 11, received direct threats from a presiding officer after recording a suspected case of vote buying.
The most severe incident occurred in Ihiala LGA, where political thugs attacked an observer who was covering reports of vote trading near the Independent National Electoral Commission office. The assailants seized the observer's phone to prevent documentation of evidence.
"These disturbing incidents demonstrate that individuals responsible for safeguarding electoral integrity are being deliberately targeted simply for performing their duties," CJID stated in their official field report.
Systematic Vote Buying Across Polling Units
The organization documented extensive vote trading activities during the #AnambraDecides2025 election. At Community Primary School in Achalla, Awka North, political agents allegedly associated with the All Progressives Grand Alliance were observed offering voters N10,000 each along with 10kg bags of rice.
Similar incidents were recorded at Igbariam Health Centre in Ward 5, Polling Unit 10, where Young Progressives Party agents reportedly distributed between ₦5,000 and ₦10,000 per voter. A separate video evidence showed a party agent escorting a voter into a voting cubicle at Central School, Utuh, while openly asking "Ego ole?" meaning "How much?" in Igbo language, in clear violation of electoral guidelines.
Observers reported identical scenes in Ezira, Onitsha North, and Igwebueze Primary Schools 1–3, where party agents demanded that voters provide proof of their ballot choices before receiving cash payments.
Systemic Problem Requires Urgent Intervention
CJID emphasized that vote buying has evolved into a nationwide pattern, referencing similar incidents documented during the Edo and Ondo 2024 elections as well as the 2023 general elections. The report identifies poverty, weak enforcement of electoral laws, and organized political broker networks as primary drivers perpetuating this practice.
"Without adequate protection for election observers and stronger law enforcement, Nigeria's democracy risks becoming a commercial marketplace," the organization warned urgently.
CJID has called upon INEC, security agencies, and political parties to guarantee the safety of all accredited observers and prosecute individuals involved in attacks or vote trading activities. While Sections 127 and 56 of the Electoral Act 2022 explicitly prohibit vote buying and voter inducement with penalties including fines and two-year imprisonment, the organization noted that lack of enforcement continues to embolden perpetrators.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission has declared Professor Charles Soludo of APGA as the winner of the Anambra 2025 governorship election. The former Central Bank of Nigeria governor polled 422,664 votes to defeat his closest rivals from the APC and YPP, winning all 21 local government areas in the southeastern state.
