Election watchdog Citizen Monitors has issued a strong warning against the normalization of vote buying in Nigeria’s electoral process, following widespread allegations of financial inducements during the November 8 Anambra State gubernatorial election.

The group cautioned that such practices, if left unchecked, threaten to undermine democratic integrity and public trust ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement released Tuesday by Head of Communications Olajumoke Alawode-James, Citizen Monitors described the election as “calm and orderly on paper,” but said reports from voters, observers, and online sources revealed a troubling undercurrent of cash-for-votes, intimidation, and coercion at polling units. “Anambra has voted. But from voters, observers, and online reports, another story emerges: cash moving quietly, bags changing hands, and subtle pressure,” the statement read.

The group emphasized that visible orderliness and functional voting technology do not equate to electoral credibility when inducements persist. “You can have neat queues and signed sheets, yet the contest is who buys despair cheapest. When voters take money to survive, the ballot is secret, but the will is broken,” it stated.

Co-founder Adeshope Haastrup added that accepting vote buying as routine erodes the foundations of democracy. “We cannot pretend normalized vote buying is democracy. If we accept this pattern, we're choosing the country our children must struggle in,” he said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) the winner, defeating challengers from the Labour Party and the All Progressives Congress. INEC dismissed claims of widespread vote buying, citing the absence of formal complaints, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed three arrests related to electoral inducements.

Opposition candidates, including Labour’s George Moghalu and representatives of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alleged irregularities such as underage voting and vote manipulation. The ADC warned that failure to address vote buying could jeopardize the credibility of future elections.

Citizen Monitors called on INEC, law enforcement, and anti-corruption agencies to treat vote buying allegations as serious offenses. “Treat Anambra as a warning: Acknowledge, probe, and punish inducements – silence legalizes vote buying,” the group urged.

The organization also appealed to Nigerian citizens to reject electoral bribes and document irregularities. “If this upsets you, decide: I won’t sell my vote. I’ll record truth. Rise together or sink,” said Alawode-James.

“Anambra isn’t the end – it’s a warning. What we do until 2027 decides if elections are market days or dignity’s moment,” the statement concluded.