Cynthia Ezegwu
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has raised alarm over incidents of vote buying reported in some polling units in Nnewi South Local Government Area during Saturday’s governorship election.
Soludo made this known after casting his vote at Polling Unit 002, Ofiyi Square, Umueze, Isuofia Ward 13, Aguata Local Government Area, at exactly 1:20 p.m.
Speaking with journalists shortly after voting, the governor commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting what he described as a peaceful and orderly process across most parts of the state.
“I have been getting numerous calls from across the state. I think it has been relatively peaceful and going smoothly,” Soludo said. “Though there are some glitches at polling units in Olumbanasa, Anambra West, where the BVAS reportedly did not work as expected, on the average, the election is going well.”
He, however, expressed concern over reports of widespread vote buying in Nnewi South, alleging that some voters were being paid as much as ₦15,000 to influence their choices at the polls.
“The only concern we have received is in one or two places in Nnewi South where we understand there has been massive vote buying,” he stated.
Soludo also alleged that a political party was planning to manipulate results during the collation process. According to him, the party’s strategy involved instructing polling agents not to write or upload results properly on INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to create room for possible tampering.
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“The only concern—and we hope it does not happen—is that one political party’s strategy is to swap results during collation,” he said. “But we have confidence in the system. Our people are vigilant, organised and united.”
The governor expressed optimism about his party’s chances, insisting that the election would be won based on the principle of “one man, one vote.”
He also lauded INEC for the early commencement of voting and commended residents for their peaceful conduct, noting that anyone on the queue before the official closing time of 2:30 p.m. would be allowed to cast their vote.
“If the system works as designed, we have no doubt that we will win all 21 local government areas,” Soludo said.