INEC Rejects Vote-Buying Claims in Anambra Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied claims of vote-buying during the Anambra State governorship election held on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The commission stated that there was no credible evidence to confirm the allegations made by some political parties and candidates.

The clarification came after reports from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, and his rivals from the Labour Party (LP) and African Action Congress (AAC), George Moghalu and Chioma Ifemeludike, who accused unidentified agents of buying votes in parts of Nnewi South and other areas for between ₦3,000 and ₦5,000.

However, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Queen Elizabeth Agwu, while speaking on a live television programme, said the commission had not received any verifiable reports or evidence from political parties, observers, or security agencies to support the claims. She explained that INEC’s situation room, which monitored the election across all polling units, did not record any confirmed cases of inducement, though there were reports of minor logistical delays in some locations.

Agwu maintained that the commission takes allegations of vote-buying seriously but will only act on confirmed information backed by facts and figures. She added that neither INEC officials nor accredited local and international observers had reported any verified incidents throughout the exercise.

On the issue of voter turnout, the REC noted that it was too early to make conclusions until the full collation of results was completed. She also commended the overall conduct of the election, describing the process as smooth, with early deployment of materials, adequate security, and functional BVAS machines across most polling units.

Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed the arrest of three suspected vote buyers during the election. The suspects, identified as Emeka Ilokasia from Njikoka Local Government Area, Nwachukwu Loretta from Oyi Local Government Area, and Emuka Chuwudi from Dunukofia Local Government Area, were taken into custody and are expected to face prosecution after investigations.

The Anambra governorship election was monitored by various observers, security agencies, and political party agents, with final collation of results continuing at the INEC centre in Awka.