The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has taken an early lead in the Anambra State Governorship Election as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continues uploading results from across the state.
As of Saturday night, more than 99 per cent of results had been uploaded to the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), despite mounting allegations of vote-buying, violence, and voter apathy.
INEC confirmed that the election took place in 5,718 polling units across the state, which has 2,802,790 registered voters, including 140,370 newly registered voters. Sixteen political parties, including two with female candidates, fielded candidates in the highly competitive race.
Early analysis of the uploaded results shows that Soludo is leading in several strongholds, particularly in Aguata Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra South and parts of Anambra Central. Voter turnout was notably low despite early arrival of materials and increased PVC collection prior to election day.
In his hometown of Isuofia, Aguata LGA, Soludo won his polling unit at Umuezeadigo Street, Polling Unit 002, by a wide margin, securing 417 votes against four for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu. The APC flagbearer, however, also dominated his polling unit in Umudiala village, Nnewi South LGA, with 108 and 126 votes in two booths, while APGA received four and six votes respectively.
The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Dr. George Moghalu, lost in his polling unit, polling 22 votes to Soludo’s 57.
As of 10 p.m., INEC data showed APGA maintaining a commanding lead across multiple LGAs, including Ekwusigo, Njikoka, Aguata, Ogbaru, Onitsha North and South, Oyi, Ayamelum, Orumba South, and Anaocha. In Ekwusigo, APGA garnered 1,548 votes across 17 polling units, while APC trailed with 599. The pattern was similar in Njikoka, where APGA led with 3,452 votes to APC’s 666, and in Orumba South, where Soludo’s party secured strong wins in Umuchukwu, Ogbunka, and Nawfija wards.
Widespread Allegations of Vote-Buying and Intimidation
The election was overshadowed by widespread accusations of vote-buying and voter intimidation. Labour Party leader and former Anambra governor, Mr. Peter Obi, condemned the development, describing the situation as a reflection of Nigeria’s declining democracy.
“Vote-buying is on the scale of N20,000 to N30,000. The victims of bad governance are the ones fuelling it,” Obi said after casting his vote at Agulu 2, Ward 8. “If a young man sells his vote for N30,000, what is his future? You are selling no school, no hospital, no job—selling your future.”
Governor Soludo also expressed concern over reports of monetary inducement in Nnewi South, alleging that some voters were paid N15,000 each. “It doesn’t matter for us. We are confident that with one man, one vote, we will win by a landslide,” he stated after voting in Isuofia.
The APC candidate, Ukachukwu, also raised alarms about “widespread vote-buying and intimidation,” describing it as “a dangerous norm undermining democracy.” He, however, maintained optimism about the final outcome, saying, “Winning is still possible. INEC is doing its best, and I believe in God’s will.”
Meanwhile, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate, Paul Chukwuma, accused local government officials of sponsoring thugs to intimidate voters, a claim APGA dismissed as “false and baseless.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed the arrest of three political party agents for alleged vote-buying in Njikoka, Oyi, and Dunukofia LGAs. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale identified the suspects as Emeka Ilokasia, Nwachukwu Loretta, and Emuka Chuwudi, adding that they would be charged after investigation.
Violence and Technical Glitches Reported
The election was marred by violence in some areas. A councillor representing Owerre Ezukala in Orumba South LGA was shot dead by gunmen while attempting to vote. Witnesses claimed that security officers were nearby but failed to intervene. Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga had yet to comment as of press time.
In Ihiala, tension erupted when policemen reportedly fired tear gas canisters at the INEC secretariat, injuring a corps member and a Yiaga Africa observer. Eyewitnesses alleged that the officers were intoxicated. SP Ikenga confirmed a “minor scuffle” but said it was quickly resolved.
Technical issues also hampered voting in some polling units. Elderly voters at Ezienwelu Polling Unit 001, Njikoka LGA, faced challenges with the BVAS machine, which failed to recognise their faces. INEC officials attributed this to facial changes over time rather than network problems.
A 76-year-old voter, Ifeyinwa Okafor, expressed disappointment, saying, “We were told our faces have changed, so they need to capture us by thumbprinting.” In Anaocha LGA, 96-year-old Mrs. Elizabeth Onike wept after being denied the right to vote for lack of a valid voter card.
Despite the challenges, some citizens remained determined. In Isuofia, 74-year-old Pa Julius Nwafor, who is visually impaired, insisted on voting. “As far as I am a Nigerian, I must vote to satisfy my conscience,” he said.
Low Turnout and Defiance of Movement Restriction
Across many polling units, voter apathy was evident. In Awka, some youths were seen playing football near polling stations instead of voting. “It happens every election. You’ll always see youths playing football instead of voting,” said a resident, Chiosom Eneh.
In Onitsha, traders defied the restriction of movement order by opening makeshift stalls near the Relief Market as early as 7 a.m. Vegetable seller Mrs. Grace Ezeh explained, “Elections may be important, but so is our livelihood.”
As counting continues, INEC is expected to announce official results soon, with early trends suggesting a two-horse race between APGA’s Soludo and APC’s Ukachukwu.
What you should know
The Anambra governorship election has seen APGA’s Chukwuma Soludo take an early lead amid widespread allegations of vote-buying, voter intimidation, and low turnout.
EFCC operatives arrested three suspects for electoral offences, while violence in Orumba South led to a councillor’s death. Despite challenges, counting continues across 21 LGAs, with results favoring Soludo.
