The Anambra State gubernatorial election held on Saturday was overshadowed by widespread vote buying, despite the deployment of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) agents and police officers across polling units.

Incumbent Governor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA faced 15 challengers, including George Moghalu of the Labour Party and Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a contest marked by both logistical challenges and electoral malpractice.

According to eyewitness accounts, vote buying was rampant in key areas such as Onitsha and Amawbia. In Nkpor market, APC agents were reportedly seen distributing ₦5,000 cash and bags of rice, while Labour Party affiliates allegedly offered drinks in exchange for votes. “They came with money – ₦2,000 per vote,” said one resident, speaking anonymously.

The EFCC confirmed the arrest of 15 individuals in connection with vote buying, though critics, including Ukachukwu, described the enforcement as ineffective.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reported a largely peaceful voting process, with strong turnout in rural areas. However, technical glitches with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) caused delays in urban centers, prompting manual accreditation in some locations. Preliminary figures from INEC indicated a 45% voter turnout, with rural participation at 60% compared to just 30% in urban areas.

Governor Soludo, seeking a second term after his 2021 landslide victory, campaigned on infrastructure and security achievements. Early results showed him leading in APGA strongholds such as Awka and Nnewi. Moghalu focused his campaign on economic revitalization, while Ukachukwu emphasized anti-corruption reforms.

INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for Anambra, Mrs. Elizabeth Agwu, acknowledged the technical setbacks but maintained that the process was “mostly peaceful.” The commission has assured transparency in the collation of results at its Awka headquarters, with a winner expected to be declared by Wednesday.

This election, the first in Anambra since 2021, is seen as a critical test of APGA’s regional dominance amid ongoing national competition between the PDP and APC.