The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected claims of widespread vote-buying during Saturday’s Anambra State governorship election, describing the allegations as baseless and lacking evidence.
The accusations came from Chukwuma Soludo of APGA, George Moghalu of the Labour Party, and Chioma Ifemeludike of the African Action Congress, who alleged that some voters sold their ballots for between ₦3,000 and ₦5,000 in areas like Nnewi South. They also claimed that unidentified agents oversaw these incidents.
Speaking on Channels Television’s News at 10, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra, Queen Agwu, said the commission had received no verified reports to confirm these claims. She stressed that vote-buying is a serious offence and urged anyone with credible information to provide facts and figures. “You cannot go on national television to make allegations without substantiating them,” she noted.
Agwu explained that INEC monitored the election from its situation room all day and did not receive any reports of confirmed vote-buying or material delays. “None of our officials or accredited observers reported such incidents. So, to me, it remains a rumour, and rumours do not stand without proof,” she said.
While acknowledging some tension and pressure in certain locations, the REC affirmed that security and logistics were largely effective. She also added that voter turnout would be officially determined only after all polling unit results were collated.
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed that three individuals—Emeka Ilokasia (Njikoka LGA), Nwachukwu Loretta (Oyi LGA), and Emuka Chuwudi (Dunukofia LGA)—had been arrested for suspected vote-buying. They are expected to face prosecution once investigations conclude.
