Peter Obi, Soludo, Moghalu vote in Anambra guber poll, allege vote buying

Labour Party leaders, including 2023 presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi and the party’s governorship candidate for the current Anambra election, George Moghalu, have voiced serious concern over what they called widespread vote-buying in the state.

Obi and Moghalu emphasized that this troubling practice is undermining the election’s credibility.

After casting his vote at Polling Unit 017, Uruagu Ward 1, Nnewi North LGA, Moghalu informed journalists that the “buying and selling of citizens’ votes” was rampant across various communities, with amounts reportedly ranging from ₦10,000 to ₦15,000.

“Poverty was weaponised for massive vote buying. If you monetise your process and weaponise poverty, what is free about the election?” Moghalu said, stressing that the practice compromises the democratic process.

Obi, a former Anambra Governor, cast his vote at Umudimakasi, Agulu Ward 2, Polling Unit 008, where he was greeted by gathered supporters and residents.

He echoed Moghalu’s concerns regarding vote-buying and also raised alarms about electoral malpractice.

Both candidates issued a joint appeal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, urging them to guarantee a free, fair, and credible election that is free from intimidation and the manipulation of vulnerable voters.

Also, APGA’s candidate in the election, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra said there were incidents of vote buying as reported in some polling units in Nnewi South Local Government Area.

After voting at Polling Unit 002 in Umueze at 1:20 p.m, Soludo commended INEC for a smooth and peaceful election.

Speaking to newsmen, he expressed his satisfaction with the electoral 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.

“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.”