Tinubu, Nwifuru, Abiodun congratulate govContents
I’ll work for Anambra people — Soludo
SERAP to INEC: Hand over Anambra vote-buyers, sponsors to EFCC, ICPC
The candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Labour Party (LP) have insisted that the Anambra State governorship election was marred by massive violence and vote buying.
In the results announced by the Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Edogah Omoregie, Governor Charles Soludo, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), polled 422,664 votes.
Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the APC, who scored 99,445 votes to come second, gave this verdict on the election while briefing journalists in Awka on Sunday, in reaction to the outcome of the poll.
Ukachukwu said the election and the number of votes he and the party got was a proof that APC is Anambra and Anambra is APC.
“I call for this press conference to thank those who supported my vision to change Anambra State and to let the world know that the just concluded governorship election in Anambra was massively marred with vote buying and violence that resulted in an unprovoked attack on one of my strongest female supporters that led to the burning of her house at Anambra East Local Government Area of the state. And up till this moment, no arrest has been made by the concerned security authorities.
“I thank God that no death was recorded for my sake before, during and after the election. The ninety-something thousand votes I gathered is a big proof that APC has come to stay in Anambra State.”
On his next line of action over the outcome, the APC candidate said he would issue a statement at the appropriate time after proper consultation with key party stakeholders. He commended the media for their unbiased reportage during the election.
In the same vein, the candidate of the ADC, John Nwosu, who scored 8,208 votes, described the poll as a national embarrassment allegedly marred by massive vote buying.
Nwosu alleged that the exercise fell short of democratic standards, claiming that voters across many polling units were openly induced with cash ranging from N3,000 to N20,000.
“What took place yesterday [Saturday] was a ruse and a subversion of the people’s will. The election was marred by massive vote buying and shameless financial inducement at polling units across the state. By every account, the people have not spoken,” the ADC candidate said.
Nwosu insisted that the alleged widespread inducement robbed the election of legitimacy, stating, “True victory is judged not by the outcome, but by the integrity of the process.”
He maintained that an election “riddled with corruption, manipulation, and vote trading cannot and will never represent the voice of the people.” While he declined to comment on whether he would challenge the result in court, Nwosu said his rejection of the outcome was based on principle rather than personal ambition.
“Our mission has never been about winning at all cost. It was about redefining governance and building a new Anambra anchored on values, transparency, elimination of corruption, and a secure state driven by the innovative use of technology,” he stated.
The candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Dr George Moghalu, also rejected the result of the election.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Moghalu said he was dissatisfied with the conduct of the election and alleged that several irregularities occurred during the process.
He said: “The exercise was marred by widespread vote buying and reports of underage voting in some areas. The November 8, 2025 governorship election in Anambra State, in my view, fell short of expectations. I hereby reject it in its entirety. I have contested in previous elections, but this one was different. The level of vote buying was alarming.”
Moghalu further alleged that minors were seen in possession of voter cards and that some were allowed to vote.
“Children who were not supposed to be carrying voter cards were openly seen with them and allowed to vote. These are issues that raise questions about the integrity of the process. I received reports from my team that in some polling units the LP name appeared on the ballot paper without the party’s logo, making it difficult for voters to identify the party’s position on the ballot.”
Moghalu stressed that he would make a more detailed statement after receiving a comprehensive report from his agents across the state. He said he did not plan to challenge the outcome of the election in court, saying it would be premature to make that decision without reviewing all reports.
On the claims that some LP agents were not present at certain polling units, he said some may have left out of frustration over situations they observed during voting.
ADC accuses INEC of connivance
The ADC, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, further expressed concern about what it called the indifference of INEC officials to the brazen financial inducement of voters.
Its statement read: “The African Democratic Congress has observed the conduct of the just concluded Anambra gubernatorial election with a deep sense of concern for the electoral process in Nigeria. What unfolded in Anambra was, regrettably, a cash-drenched spectacle that was more of a bazaar than an election. This undermines the very essence of democracy.
“We wish to state categorically that, as has been widely reported and clearly shown to Nigerians and the international community, this election was highly monetized, with the incumbent and his party seen to have participated in several forms and styles of cash-for-votes. At polling units across the state, bundles of naira notes changed hands in full view. This was a brazen violation of the Electoral Act, whose foundation had been laid by the governor himself well ahead of the election.
“Even more troubling was the apparent silence — and in some instances, visible inaction — of institutions mandated to enforce electoral integrity. Security operatives stood by as voters were harassed and compromised, while electoral officials, overwhelmed or indifferent, failed to uphold even the most basic standards. If this is the manner in which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) intends to conduct the 2027 general election, then Nigerians have every reason to be worried about the future of our democracy, especially at a time when the state of our nation is under the microscope of the international community.”
Tinubu, Nwifuru, Abiodun congratulate Soludo
Congratulating the Anambra State governor, President Bola Tinubu, in a statement, described the victory of Governor Soludo as “a testament to his visionary leadership and the significant progress the state has made under his guidance.” Tinubu also commended the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, for conducting what observers have described as a credible election.
He further charged the electoral umpire to maintain the standards and further improve its performance to strengthen and deepen the nation’s electoral system.
The statement read: “I congratulate Professor Chukwuma Soludo on his re-election as the governor of Anambra State. The overwhelming victory he recorded in Saturday’s poll has now made him the third governor in the state’s political history to win a second term.
“I must also congratulate the people of Anambra State, the security agencies, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the peaceful and successful conduct of the governorship election.
“Professor Soludo’s re-election is a testament to his visionary leadership and the significant progress the state has made under his guidance. Governor Soludo, the Solution, has demonstrated that indeed knowledge is power and that academic principles can be applied in serving the people, undergirding accountability, transparency, and prudent management of people and resources.
“I assure Governor Soludo of my unwavering support, and I look forward to continued collaboration between Anambra and the Federal Government. The victory of the opposition All Grand Progressives Alliance in the election again demonstrates the vitality of our political system and the fact that victory for any progressive and hardworking leader can hardly be encumbered or denied.
“I must also thank the new INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, and his team for conducting what observers have described as a credible election, based on the reports I have received thus far.”
Also, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State congratulated Governor Soludo on his re-election.
The governor said the victory was an endorsement of the sterling performance of Professor Soludo in his first term in office.
Nwifuru stated this in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Dr Monday Uzor, on Sunday, noting, “My dear Prof, I am confident that your re-election will further consolidate the democratic ideals, good governance principles, and Igbo-centric ideology.
“As a fellow governor and brother in the service of our Igbo region and nation Nigeria, I look forward to deeper collaboration between Anambra and Ebonyi States in our shared pursuit of regional integration, economic transformation, and the upliftment of our people.”
In the meantime, Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has congratulated Soludo.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Honourable Kayode Akinmade, the governor said that the results showed, in unmistakable terms, that the people of Anambra State have huge confidence in the leadership of Professor Soludo, charging him to use the victory as a tool for greater delivery of the dividends of democracy and to unite all political tendencies in the state for its development.
He said: “With the results of Saturday’s election, the people of Anambra State spoke in clear, unmistakable terms, affirming their belief in the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo.”
I’ll work for Anambra — Soludo
Governor Soludo has described the election as the best ever conducted by INEC in the state.
He also extended a hand of fellowship to his co-contestants, expressing readiness to work with them to advance the state.
Governor Soludo made the remarks on Sunday in Awka, the state capital, after being declared the winner of the election by INEC.
Soludo expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, describing him as a “true democrat” who demonstrated genuine commitment to ensuring a free and fair election in Anambra.
“The people have spoken and their votes counted. I thank INEC, especially the new Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan. I’m excited that your first impression was an emphatic one, as INEC delivered.”
Soludo dedicated his victory to the people of Anambra, describing it as a historic mandate.
“This victory is for the people of Anambra. Four years ago, when BVAS was first used, we had a low voter turnout, and you elected us with 112,000 votes. This time, you spoke loudly. For the first time in our history, voter participation broke the 20 per cent ceiling, as 22 per cent of registered voters came out and you re-elected us with 73 per cent of the total votes.
“I’m humbled by this show of solidarity. We applied for the job; you employed us. With this renewed trust and partnership, we will move into high gear to deliver more for the good of Anambra. Now that the people have spoken, let’s get to work — you ain’t seen anything yet,” he said.
SERAP to INEC: Hand over Anambra vote-buyers, sponsors to EFCC, ICPC
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to INEC, urging the electoral body to immediately refer all allegations of vote buying and undue influence during the election to the nation’s anti-graft and law enforcement agencies.
In a letter to the INEC Chairman, SERAP demanded that he urgently work with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate and prosecute all perpetrators and their sponsors.
Dated November 8, 2025, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the letter asserted that the recurring instances of electoral bribery make a mockery of Nigeria’s electoral process and participatory democracy.
The organisation stressed that impunity for past cases of vote buying is a fundamental barrier to achieving free and fair elections in Nigeria.
“Unless the legacy of impunity for these grave electoral offences is combated and perpetrators effectively prosecuted, those contemplating vote buying will feel unconstrained in future elections,” the statement read.
SERAP argued that ensuring accountability would enhance the rights of Nigerians to participate in their own government and bolster public trust in INEC’s capacity to deliver credible elections.
The civil society organisation backed its demand by citing detailed reports of widespread vote buying across the state. These incidents reportedly involved sophisticated tactics, including the use of money transfer platforms instead of just cash, and “vote-and-snap” behaviour, where voters were allegedly photographed taking pictures of their marked ballots as proof for financial payment.
SERAP further noted that reports of intimidation and harassment of journalists covering the polls were also received, adding to the concerns over the election’s integrity.
Credit: Nigerian Tribune