As the Anambra South senatorial bye-election nears its conclusion, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) appears to be leading the race.
However, the process has been clouded by serious allegations of vote buying involving both APGA and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A field visit by DAILY GAZETTE polling units across Nnewi South, Nnewi North, Ihiala, and Ekwusigo Local Government Areas revealed that voters were reportedly being offered cash incentives ranging from ₦10,000 to ₦25,000 per vote, mostly by APGA operatives.
Despite these claims, voting proceeded peacefully in many areas, with a decent voter turnout similar to that witnessed during the recent Onitsha House of Assembly bye-election.
At Osumenyi, hometown of APC’s governorship candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, reports also surfaced of cash inducements.
Likewise, in Ukpor, where APGA’s candidate Dr. Emma Nwachukwu hails from, similar allegations emerged.
Speaking to newsmen, a voter, Madam Comfort Okoye, expressed concern over the trend:
“They came here and gave people between ₦10,000 and ₦25,000. There’s serious hunger in the land. While some of us rejected the money, others didn’t. It’s really unfortunate.”
She went on to describe the situation as a threat to Nigeria’s democratic values:
“This is a travesty of democracy. It’s disheartening that this is happening in a state led by a professor. Such desperation is nothing short of electoral fraud. We’ve never seen it this bad.”
She called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take note of the situation, particularly in Nnewi South, Nnewi North, Ekwusigo, and Ihiala.
