Anambra 2025: Foreign Observer Group Condemns Rampant Vote Buying at Polls

Pan African Women Projects (PAWP), one of the foreign observer missions accredited for the Anambra 2025 Governorship Election, has expressed deep concern over what it described as widespread vote buying during the November 8 election across several polling units in the state.

Speaking at a post-election press briefing in Awka, the group said that the level of transactional activity observed during the polls was comparable to the bustling commercial exchanges typical of Nkwor Nnewi Market, describing the situation as “alarming and detrimental to democratic integrity.”

The Director of Strategy and Advocacy, Ms. Bontle Matjila, who presented the group’s preliminary findings, stated that 25 short-term observers were deployed across the 21 local government areas of the state to gather firsthand information on the conduct of the election.

While commending the early arrival of election materials at most polling units between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.and noting that the atmosphere remained generally peaceful, Matjila observed significant lapses in transparency and political preparedness.

She noted that some political parties “failed to demonstrate serious participation,” citing the absence of visible campaign activities such as rallies and billboards, which suggested a lack of readiness for the contest.

The observer group also reported that several polling units lacked key sensitive materials, including result sheets, at the commencement of voting, raising concerns about the credibility of the process.

“Based on our field observations, the Anambra 2025 governorship election fell short of international standards of transparency and accountability,” Matjila said.

The Head of Mission, Dr. Eno Udensi, disclosed that PAWP obtained visual and pictorial evidence including recordings captured with discreet devices showing the high level of vote buying that characterized the election.
She affirmed that the comprehensive report, accompanied by photographic and video documentation, would soon be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

While commending the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies for the professional conduct of their personnel, Dr. Udensi recommended that the number of security operatives deployed during elections be reduced, given that INEC now conducts digitally enhanced and electronically managed elections.

She further praised INEC for granting the observer mission the opportunity to contribute to the promotion of credible, transparent, and sustainable democracy in Nigeria, but urged the Commission to take decisive steps to address the menace of vote trading, which, she warned, continues to undermine public confidence in the electoral process.