The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in the Anambra State Governorship Election, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, is leading other candidates as the Independent National Electoral Commission continues uploading results of Saturday’s election in the state.
As of press time, INEC had uploaded over 99 per cent of election results onto its Results Viewing Portal, amid widespread accusations of vote-buying and other electoral infractions.
Despite the early arrival of election materials in many polling units, voter turnout was relatively low across the state, even though more voters collected their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the election.
A preliminary analysis of election results so far obtained across the polling units indicated that the APGA candidate was leading in his stronghold areas such as Aguata LGA in Anambra South Senatorial District and some parts of Anambra Central Senatorial District.
Anambra State has 21 LGAs, divided into Anambra North, Central, and South.
According to INEC, 2,802,790 registered voters were eligible to participate in the poll, including 140,370 newly registered voters across 326 wards.
The election was held in 5,718 polling units, as two of the expected 5,720 had no registered voters. Sixteen political parties fielded candidates, including two women.
Soludo, Ukachukwu win, LP loses polling unit
Soludo won his Umuezeadigo Street Polling Unit 002 in Isuofia, Oguata LGA.
He polled a total of 417 votes while his closest rival, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Nicholas Ukachukwu, got four votes.
The APC candidate equally won his polling Unit.
Ukachukwu voted at Polling Unit 12, Ward 2, Umudiala village in Osumenyi, Nnewi South LGA.
He got 108 votes, while APGA got four votes in booth 1, and in booth 2, APC secured 126 votes while APGA got 6 votes.
But the Labour Party candidate, Dr George Moghalu, lost his polling unit.
The LP candidate polled 22 votes to emerge runner up to Soludo, who won by 57 votes.
APGA in early lead
As of 10pm on Saturday, INEC had uploaded 99.14 per cent of results from the election on its IReV portal.
A review of results across several LGAs showed that APGA was leading in most polling units uploaded so far with the canddiate of the APC, Ukachukwu, trailing.
In Ekwusigo LGA, both parties dominated results in at least 17 polling units across three wards.
At Obi Nza Square Polling Unit, APGA polled 212 votes, while APC got 13. In Ezeokpo Central School I, APGA had 169 votes to APC’s 12, and in Nza Central School II, APGA scored 231 against APC’s 18. In the 17 polling units, APGA led with 1,548 votes, while APC trailed with 599.
A similar pattern was recorded in Njikoka LGA, where APGA polled 3,452 votes across three wards, while APC had 666.
In Aguata LGA, APGA dominated polling units across Umuchu II, Uga I, Ikenga, Isuofia, and Oraeri wards. The party secured 165 votes at Ozalla/Akukwa PU, 285 at Umugama Hall, and 302 at Ihuowele Hall, while APC’s votes ranged between 5 and 30 in most units.
In Ogbaru LGA (Ward 16), APGA maintained its momentum with 61 votes at Okpoko IV, 103 at Umuobom Hall II, and 144 at Umuobom Hall VIII, compared to APC’s 6, 4, and 9, respectively.
Onitsha North and South LGAs reflected a similar trend. In Onitsha South, APGA led with 1,548 votes across three wards, while APC recorded 599. In Onitsha North, APGA polled 103 votes at Inland Town IV and 157 at Inland Town V, while APC managed 13 and 27 respectively.
Oyi LGA also showed APGA leading with 190 votes at Umuokweanya Hall PU and 135 at Eke Olise Central School PU, while APC followed with 42 and 48 votes.
In Ayamelum LGA, APGA recorded 35 votes at Akojo Village Square III and 45 at F/S Village Square II, ahead of APC’s 8 and 30.
Across Orumba South LGA, APGA extended its lead, winning 547 votes in Umuchukwu Ward 09, 532 in Ogbunka II, and 707 in Nawfija Ward 08, while APC scored 87, 74, and 123 respectively.
In Anaocha LGA, Governor Soludo of APGA led with 2,419 votes, while the APC candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, polled 724 votes from the three wards uploaded as of press time.
Overall, early results from across the state indicate a clear two-horse race between APGA and APC, with APGA maintaining a wide margin.
Vote-buying: Candidates trade tackles, EFCC nabs suspects
A former Anambra State governor and Labour Party leader, Mr Peter Obi, decried rampant vote-buying during the election.
Speaking after voting at 11.46am at Polling Unit 019, Umudim Akasi, Agulu 2, Ward 8, Obi said democracy was “deteriorating” in Nigeria.
He stated, “Vote-buying is on the scale of N20,000 to N30,000. The victims of bad governance are the ones fuelling it. If a young man sells his vote for N30,000, what is his future? You are selling no school, no hospital, no job—selling your future.”
Governor Soludo, who voted around 1.30pm at his polling unit in Isuofia, expressed confidence of winning all 21 LGAs once the process worked smoothly.
He said, “Reports from across the state indicate that the election has been peaceful and smooth. We have no doubt we are going to win by a landslide.”
Soludo, however, alleged vote-buying in Nnewi South, claiming some voters were paid N15,000 each.
“It doesn’t matter for us. We are confident that with one man, one vote, we will win landslide,” he said.
The Young Progressives Party candidate, Paul Chukwuma, commended INEC and the police but accused local government chairmen of intimidating voters with thugs.
He said, “In some LGAs, mayors moved around with thugs and state-funded militia, intimidating voters with tacit support from the governor.”
But Soludo’s spokesman, Mr Chris Aburime, dismissed the claim.
“This is not true. APGA and Governor Soludo do not believe in vote-buying. Our philosophy is one man, one vote,” he said.
The APC’s Ukachukwu also alleged “widespread vote-buying” and intimidation of his supporters.
He described the development as a “dangerous norm” undermining democracy.
“Vote-buying robs citizens of their right to choose credible leaders,” Ukachukwu said.
Despite this, he expressed optimism, saying, “Winning is still possible. INEC is doing its best, and I believe in God’s will.”
The Labour Party candidate, Moghalu, lamented that monetisation had “weaponised poverty.”
While voting at Uruagu Ward 1, Nnewi, he said the process was relatively smooth but marred by apathy.
He added, “You can’t say it’s free and fair if you monetise the process. INEC must restore public confidence because voter apathy shows loss of trust in the system.”
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested three political party agents for alleged vote-buying in different parts of the state.
The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said the suspects—Emeka Ilokasia, Nwachukwu Loretta, and Emuka Chuwudi—were caught in Njikoka, Oyi, and Dunukofia LGAs, respectively.
He noted that they would be charged at the conclusion of investigation.
Councillor killed, corps member, observer injured
Tragedy struck in Orumba South LGA where a councillor representing Owerre Ezukala community was shot dead by gunmen around 1.30pm while trying to vote.
Eyewitnesses said security operatives were nearby but couldn’t stop the assailants.
A community leader, Odogwu Odemenna, who confirmed the killing, faulted security lapses.
He said, “The election was peaceful until this incident happened.”
The police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, did not respond to calls or messages on the incident as of press time.
Tension also broke out in Ihiala after policemen reportedly fired teargas canisters at the INEC secretariat, injuring a corps member and a Yiaga Africa observer.
Eyewitnesses said the officers, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, began shooting tear gas without provocation.
The police spokesperson, SP Ikenga, confirmed the scuffle but said it was resolved, describing it as a “rift between observers and ad hoc staff.”
Elderly voters, playful youths
Several elderly voters at Ezienwelu Polling Unit 001, Nimo Ward 2, Njikoka LGA, could not be accredited as the BVAS failed to recognise their faces.
Officials attributed it to facial changes rather than network issues.
A 76-year-old voter, Ifeyinwa Okafor, lamented, “We were told our faces have changed, so they need to capture us by thumbprinting.”
Also at Umudim Akasi Polling Unit 019, Agulu II, Anaocha LGA, a 96-year-old woman, Mrs Elizabeth Onike, wept after being told she could not vote for lack of a valid voter card.
She said, “I have always voted here. I voted in the last election. Now they say I have no valid card. I’m pained that I can’t vote for my next governor.”
In Isuofia, a visually impaired trader, Pa Julius Nwafor, 74, arrived early with his daughter to cast his vote.
He said, “As far as I am a Nigerian, I must vote to satisfy my conscience.”
In Awka 2 Ward 6, some youths were seen playing football at Udeozo Primary School 3 near Polling Units 003, 017, and 018 while voting was ongoing.
A resident, Chiosom Eneh, said, “It happens every election. You’ll always see youths playing football instead of voting.”
Traders defy movement restriction
In Onitsha, traders near the Relief Market defied the restriction of movement order to sell food and goods.
By 7am, makeshift stalls lined the roads despite police presence.
Vegetable seller, Mrs Grace Ezeh, said, “Elections may be important, but so is our livelihood.” Another trader, Mrs Ngozi Uche, said she came to pick up items before voting.
In Awka, residents like Chisom Uzor were seen buying food early in the day “before going to vote.”
(Source: Punch except the headline)
