Following the declared re-election of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, two major opposition candidates in Anambra State’s gubernatorial poll have rejected the results, branding the November 8 exercise a “national disgrace” and “sham” marred by rampant vote buying, underage voting, and ballot irregularities.
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Their outcry highlights deep fissures in Nigeria’s electoral landscape, even as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) certified Soludo’s victory and international observers praised the process as aligning with global standards.
African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, John Chuma Nwosu, who secured 8,208 votes, issued a scathing statement on Sunday, categorically rejecting the outcome as a “total subversion of the people’s will.” He alleged that cash inducements ranging from N3,000 to N20,000 were openly distributed at polling units statewide, turning the election into a “cash-for-ballots affair” rather than a democratic expression.
“What took place yesterday was a ruse… marred by massive vote buying and shameless financial inducement,” Nwosu declared, insisting the poll robbed Anambra of credibility and that “true victory is judged not by the outcome, but by the integrity of the process.”
Nwosu lambasted electoral institutions for failing to ensure transparency, stripping them of the “moral authority” to declare winners. “The conscience of our democracy has been wounded. When votes are bought, the future is sold,” he said, vowing that his movement would persist in the fight for inducement-free voting.
While declining to confirm a court challenge, he praised his supporters for resisting intimidation and emphasized that his campaign was founded on “values, transparency, and the elimination of corruption.”
Echoing these claims, Labour Party (LP) candidate, Dr. George Moghalu, who polled 10,576 votes, told journalists in Nnewi just hours after INEC’s announcement that the election “fell short of expectations” and was rejected “in its entirety.”
Moghalu described the vote buying as “alarming,” alleging that minors were seen with voter cards and permitted to cast ballots in some areas. He also cited reports of LP’s name appearing on ballots without its logo, confusing voters and eroding identification.
“Children who were not supposed to be carrying voter cards were openly seen with them and allowed to vote,” Moghalu stated, attributing the absence of some LP agents at polling units to frustration over the observed flaws. He deferred detailed plans, including potential litigation, pending a full agent report: “Once I get the full report, we will analyse it and then determine our next course of action. But one thing is clear: I reject the result.”
All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, who came second with 99,445 votes, has yet to publicly comment.
Despite the backlash, INEC declared Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) the winner early Sunday, with the incumbent polling 422,664 votes over four times his nearest rival’s tally after dominating all 21 local government areas.
Returning Officer, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, confirmed Soludo met all requirements, marking him as only the third Anambra governor to secure a second term, following Peter Obi and Willie Obiano. The off-cycle poll extends APGA’s two-decade hold on the state, viewed by analysts as affirming Soludo’s reforms in infrastructure, fiscal prudence, and anti-corruption. His tenure now runs to March 2026 with renewed momentum.
Final Results:
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Chukwuma Soludo | APGA | 422,664 |
| Nicholas Ukachukwu | APC | 99,445 |
| Paul Chukwuma | YPP | 37,753 |
| George Moghalu | LP | 10,576 |
| John Chuma Nwosu | ADC | 8,208 |
INEC’s new Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, was commended for overseeing a process that unfolded peacefully.
President Bola Tinubu, in a Sunday statement, hailed Soludo’s re-election as “an affirmation of visionary leadership,” praising his application of “academic principles” to governance for “accountability, transparency, and prudent management.”
Recalling his May visit to inaugurate Anambra projects, Tinubu called Soludo “Mr. Solution” and urged magnanimity toward opponents. “I congratulate the people of Anambra State, the security agencies, and INEC on the peaceful and successful conduct,” Tinubu said, assuring federal support: “I look forward to continued collaboration between Anambra and the Federal Government.”
He tasked INEC with sustaining and improving standards, citing observer reports of credibility, and noted the win’s role in bolstering Nigeria’s democracy.
Contrasting opposition grievances, UN-accredited observer Jim Oko, National Coordinator of Nouvel Perspective International, endorsed the election post-declaration at INEC’s Awka headquarters.
“Everything has been conducted in line with international best practices,” Oko told newsmen, comparing it favorably to U.S. polls. Having monitored statewide, Oko lauded the peaceful voting, collation, announcement, and acceptance as a “fulfilling experience,” with no major disruptions observed.
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