Opposition parties on Sunday condemned the conduct of the Anambra 2025 governorship election, warning that the widespread vote-buying and alleged institutional complacency posed a serious threat to the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) secured a landslide re-election, winning in all 21 local government areas to earn a second term. Soludo polled 422,664 votes, defeating Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 99,445 votes. The Young Progressives Party’s Paul Chukwuma came third with 37,753 votes, while Labour Party’s Dr. George Moghalu and ADC’s John Nwosu scored 10,576 and 8,208 votes, respectively.
Announcing the results, INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Edoba Omoregie of the University of Benin, declared that Soludo met all constitutional requirements, winning over two-thirds of the state’s local governments.
ADC, Labour Party Reject Results, Cite “Cash-for-Votes” and Irregularities
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) was among the first to reject the results. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party alleged that the election was “a cash-drenched spectacle rather than a democratic process.”
“The Anambra election was reduced to a marketplace of cash-for-votes, undermining the very essence of democracy,” Abdullahi stated, accusing the incumbent of “orchestrating widespread financial inducement.”
He further criticized security agencies and INEC officials for alleged inaction, saying, “Security operatives stood by as voters were harassed and compromised. If this is how INEC intends to conduct the 2027 general elections, Nigerians should be deeply concerned about the future of our democracy.”
ADC candidate John Nwosu also rejected the results, calling them “a national embarrassment.” He alleged open vote-buying across polling units, with cash reportedly exchanged for votes ranging between N3,000 and N20,000.
“An election riddled with corruption and manipulation cannot represent the people’s voice,” Nwosu said, vowing to continue his struggle for electoral justice.
Similarly, Labour Party’s Dr. George Moghalu expressed dissatisfaction, alleging irregularities, underage voting, and missing party logos on some ballot papers. “The exercise was marred by alarming vote-buying,” Moghalu said, promising a detailed report after receiving feedback from his agents across the state.
The APC candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, said he was gathering reports from his party agents before deciding his next steps. He alleged that his supporters were intimidated and prevented from voting by political thugs.
“My running mate and several supporters were attacked and arrested,” Ukachukwu said. “If the APC had engaged in vote-buying like the ruling party, the result would have been different. The violence we witnessed was unprecedented.”
Contrary to the opposition’s claims, a United Nations election observer, Jim Oko, described the poll as “peaceful and in line with international best practices.”
“With our experience monitoring elections globally, including in the United States, we can say this election was peacefully conducted and well-managed,” Oko said.
President Bola Tinubu congratulated Governor Soludo on his re-election, calling it “an affirmation of visionary leadership.” In a statement, Tinubu praised INEC, the security agencies, and voters for ensuring a peaceful election. He also pledged closer collaboration between the Federal Government and Anambra State, urging Soludo to be magnanimous in victory.
“The people have renewed their trust in Governor Soludo,” Tinubu said. “Under his leadership, Anambra continues to live up to its motto as the Light of the Nation.”
Soludo Thanks INEC, Extends Olive Branch to Rivals
During his victory speech in Awka, Soludo hailed INEC’s performance, describing the exercise as “the best election ever conducted in Anambra.” He thanked President Tinubu for promoting fairness and lauded INEC’s new chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, for the smooth process.
“This is the best election INEC has organised in Anambra so far,” Soludo said. “The people have spoken, and their votes counted.”
He also extended a hand of reconciliation to his fellow candidates, saying, “We fought hard, but now it’s time to work together for the progress of our state.”
Governors and APC React to Outcome
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) congratulated Soludo, describing his re-election as proof of his popularity and performance. In a message by its Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, the forum praised the people of Anambra and INEC for a peaceful exercise.
Meanwhile, the Lagos APC took a swipe at Labour Party’s Peter Obi, advising him to “rethink his 2027 presidential ambition.” APC spokesperson Seye Oladejo said the Labour Party’s poor performance in Obi’s home state revealed cracks in the “Obidient Movement.”
“Social media popularity cannot replace solid political structure,” Oladejo said, adding that APC’s showing in Anambra reflected growing public confidence in the ruling party.
