|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
…As voter apathy, vote buying, others mar poll
…APGA candidate alleges moves to manipulate result
…APC alleges intimidation of supporters
…ADC urges police to prosecute offenders
…Peter Obi, Chidoka decry vote buying, apathy
…Yiaga Africa blames parties for low turnout
Candidates of the major political parties in the off-cycle gubernatorial election in Anambra State traded blames as they pointed fingers at one another, alleging one form of electoral fraud all the other.
While the Candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and sitting Governor of the State, Chukwuma Soludo, alleged that a particular party was plotting to manipulate the result at the collation centre, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu alleged that the ruling party intimidated his supporters.
Ukachukwu also accused the ruling party in the state of vote-buying, saying, “if there is no seller, there will be no buyer.”
On his part, John Nwosu, candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) kicked against vote buying, saying that he would never indulge in such a fraud to win election, as according to him, “he who goes to equity must go with clean hands.”
Nwosu also urged the Police to prosecute those perpetrating the evil.
The election, which held across the 21 local government areas of the state and in 5,200 voting units in three senatorial districts, was heavily marked by voter apathy.
Yiaga Africa blamed political parties for the low turnout in the election.
Samson Itodo, executive director of Yiaga Africa, said the political parties did not do enough to mobilise voters.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, decried the alleged vote buying that featured in the election.
Former Aviation minister, Osita Chidoka decried the high level of voter apathy, calling on the leaders of the zone to address the crisis.
Despite the huge crowds at the campaign grounds during the electioneering, the people decided to stay away from the polling booths.
Those who spoke to our correspondents in Anambra said it was a reflection of loss of faith in the system.
The INEC had registered about 2.8million prospective voters, but speculations are that the turnout might not be up to 29 percent.
Although the election was largely peaceful, there were also some logistics challenges as election could not take begin in some places until two or three hours behind the normal time.
It was also noticed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS) disappointed in some centres.
Read also: Soludo floors Ukachukwu, Moghalu, others in landside victory
Soludo wins own unit
The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Charles Soludo, was declared winner of his polling unit.
He polled 126 votes, with his closest rival, Valentine Ozigbo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) polling only five votes.
APC Candidate, Ukachukwu, wins own unit
Nicholas Ukachukwu yesterday delivered his unit at Osumenyi II in Nnewi South. He garnered 126 votes while the APGA candidate got six votes.
LP Candidate, Moghalu, loses own unit
The Labour Party (LP) governorship Candidate, George Moghalu, yesterday lost his polling unit.
Preliminary results from Polling Unit 017, Uruagu Ward 1, Nnewi North Local Government Area, showed that Moghalu fell behind the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Professor Chukwuma Soludo.
Out of 463 registered voters, only 86 were accredited for the election.
Soludo scored 57 votes, while Moghalu polled 22 votes at his own polling unit. The remaining votes were shared among other participating parties.
Itodo blames parties for low turnout
Political parties, not voters, should be blamed if people refuse to come out and vote during the 2025 Anambra governorship election, says Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa.
Speaking on Saturday during Channels Television’s special programme, “Anambra Decides 2025,” Itodo criticised political parties for doing little to encourage citizens to participate in elections. He said voter apathy when people choose not to vote is largely a result of poor engagement and communication by the political class.
According to him, political parties are supposed to treat voters as their “main clients,” since elections cannot happen without them.
However, he lamented that many parties have failed in their most basic duty getting people interested in the electoral process.
“If voters are not turning up on election day, political parties should take full responsibility,” Itodo said. “It either means they are not communicating properly, they are not connecting with the people, or voters no longer trust them.”
The Yiaga Africa boss explained that elections are not just about fielding candidates or running flashy campaigns, but about winning the trust and confidence of the people. He noted that when parties ignore the needs, concerns, and realities of ordinary citizens, it discourages people from believing their votes can make a difference.
He also pointed out that Nigeria’s democracy will continue to suffer if political leaders and their parties fail to build relationships with voters beyond election season. “Many Nigerians have lost faith in the political process because they feel politicians only remember them during campaigns and disappear afterward,” he said.
Itodo advised political parties to start early in mobilising voters by visiting communities, engaging youths, and addressing issues that affect people’s daily lives. He added that voter education and consistent communication are key to improving participation in the 2025 election and beyond.
Yiaga Africa, a civic organisation known for promoting electoral transparency and youth participation, has consistently called on political actors to prioritise citizens’ engagement. The group has also worked closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders to strengthen democratic participation in Nigeria.
As preparations for the Anambra governorship election intensify, analysts have warned that low voter turnout remains a major challenge in the state and across Nigeria. In previous elections, many polling units recorded poor participation, often below 30 percent of registered voters.
Itodo’s comments come as a wake-up call to political parties to rethink their strategies and rebuild trust with the electorate. He stressed that democracy only thrives when citizens are actively involved, and that responsibility lies first with the parties seeking their votes.
“If people don’t feel seen, heard, or valued, they will stay at home on election day,” Itodo concluded. “Parties must earn the confidence of voters if we want to see real change in our elections.”
Read also: Soludo leads in 19 LGAs, INEC announces
Soludo alleges plot to manipulate result
Speaking with newsmen shortly after voting, the governor commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a peaceful and orderly election process.
“I have been getting numerous calls from across the state. I think it is been relatively peaceful and going smoothly.
“Though there are some glitches at polling units in Olumbanasa in Anambra West, where the BVAS reportedly did not work as expected, on the average, the election is going well,” he said.
Soludo, however, expressed concern over reports of massive vote buying in Nnewi South.
“The only concern we have received is in one or two places in Nnewi South where we understand that there has been massive vote buying. Some voters are being paid as much as N15,000,” he said.
He expressed confidence in his party’s chances, saying the election would be won on the basis of ‘one man, one vote’.
On the turnout of voters, Soludo noted that anyone on the queue before the official closing time of 2:30 p.m. would be allowed to vote.
He also alleged that a political party was planning to manipulate results during collation.
“The only concern and we hope it does not happen is that one political party’s strategy is to swap results during collation.
“They even told their polling agents not to write results properly or upload them on IReV to create room for manipulation.
“But we have confidence in the system. Our people are vigilant, organised and united.
“We will follow the process from the polling units to the wards, LGAs, and the state.
“If the system works as designed, we have no doubt that we will win all 21 local government areas,” Soludo said.
He commended INEC for the early commencement of voting and lauded residents for their peaceful conduct during the exercise.
Anambra Lawmaker, Commissioner commend smooth election
Ifeoma Azikiwe, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) member representing Anambra House of Assembly, Onitsha North Constituency 1, and Patrick Aghamba, commissioner for Youths Development, have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a smooth conduct of the governorship election.
Azikiwe made the commendation at her Ward 4, Ogbeabu Square, polling unit 003 on Saturday in Onitsha.
She commended the massive turnout of voters, saying that a lot of people were excited at the smooth process.
According to her, there were a good number old people and blind that were given preferences to cast their votes.
“As you can see, the people are already happy, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials are very well trained and they are doing their jobs deliberately and everywhere is peaceful”, she said.
When asked about her explanation, she said that APGA is expected to win across the state.
According to her, there were early records of technical glitches which were rectified immediately, thereafter, the system has been working perfectly well.
Speaking in the same vein, the state Commissioner for Youths Development, Patrick Aghamba, who lauded the electoral process at his Ward 005, Umuosuma, said the INEC had been proactive.
“They came here around 7:30 a.m., which is commendable, without wasting time they commenced accreditation and voting simultaneously.
‘I thanked the residents for coming out en mass to exercise their franchise; the people are beginning to be part of the system, and I’m excited”, he said.
