Despite video evidence, INEC dismisses vote-buying claims in Anambra governorship election

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission has dismissed allegations of widespread vote-buying during Saturday’s Anambra State governorship election, insisting that no credible evidence has been presented to support the claims.

The clarification comes amid allegations by the All Progressives Grand Alliance governorship candidate, Chukwuma Soludo, that incidents of vote-buying were recorded in some polling units in Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state.

Similarly, the Labour Party governorship candidate, George Moghalu, and his African Action Congress counterpart, Chioma Ifemeludike, alleged that voters were openly selling their votes for between ₦3,000 and ₦5,000, reportedly under the supervision of unidentified agents.

However, speaking on Channels Television’s News at 10 on Saturday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Anambra State, Queen Agwu, described the allegations as unsubstantiated and urged anyone with proof to come forward.

She said, “When the two strongest candidates went to vote, they mentioned vote-buying. But, as I stated during voter education, anyone with such information should provide facts and figures.

“Vote-buying is a very serious offence and a legislative matter. If you want to accuse someone, give us evidence. You can’t just go on television and say there’s vote-buying everywhere without mentioning one place.”

While acknowledging reports of logistical issues and intimidation in some areas, the REC maintained that no verified incident of vote-buying was reported to the commission’s situation room throughout the exercise.

“For those of us in the situation room, I didn’t go to the field. I was monitoring all through, and there was no report of delay in material distribution or any confirmed case of vote-buying,” she said.

Agwu added that neither INEC officials nor accredited observers—local or international—reported any substantiated cases of inducement.

“None of our staff or observers told me they saw any area where there was vote-buying. So, to me, it’s a rumour, and rumours don’t thrive with me,” she declared.

On voter turnout, the REC said it was too early to make conclusions until the collation of results was completed.

“I cannot talk about low voter turnout when the results are not fully collated. We’ll calculate turnout based on the figures on the ground. From what we saw in the situation room, there was a heavy turnout in the early hours,” she explained.

Agwu commended the overall conduct of the election, describing INEC’s logistics and security deployment as effective.

“It was a very good outing. INEC deployed early in nearly all polling units. There was adequate security, the BVAS worked well, and voters turned out en masse,” she said.

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission confirmed the arrest of three suspected vote buyers in different parts of the state.

The suspects were identified as Emeka Ilokasia (Njikoka LGA), Nwachukwu Loretta (Oyi LGA), and Emuka Chuwudi (Dunukofia LGA).

According to the EFCC, all three were arrested during the election and will face prosecution after investigations.