The Young Progressives Party (YPP) senatorial candidate in Anambra State, Oforbuike Okoli-Egbo, has raised concerns over alleged vote buying during the recent by-elections in the state.

Speaking on Lunchtime Politics on Channels Television, Okoli-Egbo claimed voters were paid between ₦15,000 and ₦20,000 to influence their votes.

“This election was heavily influenced by financial inducements. It’s unprecedented in Anambra for voters to be paid such amounts to cast their ballots,” he said, pointing fingers at the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the alleged malpractice.

Despite the allegations, Okoli-Egbo emphasized YPP’s strong political presence in Anambra, recalling the party’s past successes including two senatorial victories, two federal house seats and three state assembly seats.

“Our past wins show the genuine support YPP enjoys in the region,” he noted.

He also highlighted the country’s challenging economic situation, suggesting that many voters may have been compelled to accept money due to financial pressures.

“Given Nigeria’s current economic realities, resisting ₦15,000 to ₦20,000 is difficult for many,” he said, adding that ultimately, voters bear responsibility for compromising their electoral rights.

Okoli-Egbo promised that YPP would issue a formal statement on the elections in due course but insisted the scale of vote buying could not be overlooked.

The by-elections, held across 12 states last Saturday, filled vacancies in the House of Representatives and State Assemblies.

The APC won 12 out of 16 contested seats, while APGA, PDP, and NNPP also secured some seats.

In Anambra, INEC declared APGA’s Emmanuel Nwachukwu the winner of the Anambra South Senatorial District by-election, with 90,408 votes, defeating APC’s Azuka Okwuosa who scored 19,847 votes.

Nwachukwu replaces the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who passed away in July 2024.

Additionally, APGA’s Ifeoma Azikiwe won the by-election for Onitsha North Constituency 1 in the Anambra State House of Assembly.

Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has urged Nigeria’s two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to respond constructively to a recent Canadian court judgment branding them as organisations engaged in terror-related activities under Canadian law.

In a statement on Monday, Falana called on both parties to address the damning findings rather than dismissing them outright.

The ruling, issued by Justice Phuong Ngo of the Canadian Federal Court, came in a case involving a Nigerian asylum seeker, Douglas Egharevba, whose appeal was rejected partly on the basis that both APC and PDP were deemed to use violence, coercion, and subversion of democratic processes in pursuit of political power.

Falana described the verdict as having “far-reaching consequences” and stressed that the definition of terrorism under Nigeria’s own Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 aligns closely with the behavior cited in the Canadian ruling.

“It is common knowledge that APC and PDP rig elections and announce fake results with the assistance of armed thugs, police, and military personnel,” Falana stated.

He criticized the parties’ responses to the court’s decision, APC’s labeling of the judge as “ignorant” and PDP’s dismissal of the ruling as “mischievous” saying both parties had dodged the core allegations.

“Rather than resorting to insults, the APC and PDP should urgently take legal steps to disprove the claim that they operate as terrorist organisations,” he said.

Falana warned that if the Canadian decision is adopted or referenced in countries like the U.S, U.K or France, party members may face visa bans, deportation, or other legal repercussions.

He advised the Federal Government to retain immigration lawyers abroad to manage the legal fallout and protect the broader image of Nigeria and its citizens.

“A mere diplomatic protest won’t reverse the judgment. The stigma will affect not only party members but all Nigerians if their government is seen as being controlled by ‘terrorist parties’,” he cautioned.

He further called on Nigerian authorities to enforce the Electoral Act rigorously, ensure that election offenders are prosecuted, and reaffirm the country’s commitment to free and fair democratic processes.

“Only through credible, transparent elections can Nigeria restore its image globally and refute such damaging narratives,” Falana concluded.

A former National Legal Adviser for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mark Jacob, has sharply criticized the conduct of the August 16, 2025 by-elections and re-runs held across 13 states, calling them a major setback for Nigeria’s democratic process.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Jacob lamented a return to an era where political might and control over state institutions determine election outcomes.

“We are back to the old days, the strongest person in government, controlling government agencies, wins, no matter what,” he stated.

Jacob cited a disturbing incident in Kaduna State where a candidate and approximately 25 supporters were reportedly abducted during a strategy meeting, sidelining their participation in the elections.

Despite this, the election proceeded, and some celebrated the outcome.

He also alleged that PDP candidates in other states were intentionally arrested before the polls, describing these tactics as antithetical to democracy.

“If you have political power and control of state apparatus, you’re bound to win. But winning by power at the polls is not something to celebrate or condone,” Jacob emphasized.

Expressing dismay at the judiciary’s role, he accused the courts of acting more like an arm of the ruling party, rather than impartial arbiters of justice.

He warned of weakening democratic checks and balances, observing that the legislative arm has become merely an extension of the executive, given that the executive orchestrates elections and insists on capturing every seat.

Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has announced that all governors from Nigeria’s South-East region are fully in support of President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027.

Umahi made this declaration in while receiving the information Minister in Ebonyi state.

He emphasized that South-East governors are united in their political alignment with the president.

“There’s no governor in the South-East who isn’t backing the president,” Umahi stated.

“From Ebonyi to Enugu, Abia, Imo, and Anambra, the governors are doing well and showing support.”

The minister, who has played prominent roles both at state and federal levels, said his track record makes him a top contender should the presidency eventually be zoned to the South-East.

“When the presidency returns to the South-East, I believe I should lead the race, not out of pride, but based on my contributions and performance,” he said, pointing to his developmental achievements as governor and as a federal minister.

Throwing a challenge to his critics, Umahi invited anyone doubting his qualifications to a public debate.

“I created a legacy in Ebonyi. God used me to change things. I stand by my record,” he declared confidently. “Compare me to any other governor across time, and you’ll see the difference.”

He further expressed gratitude for the opportunities given to him, attributing part of his success to President Tinubu’s leadership.

“President Tinubu has helped transform the South-East through me. We haven’t had it this good in a long time,” Umahi said.

Looking ahead to the region’s presidential aspirations, the minister cautioned against relying solely on emotional appeals.

“We won’t achieve the presidency through sentiment. We must re-engage politically and build alliances across regions,” he advised.

“In God’s time, it will come to us. And perhaps, it will be someone standing close to the current minister,” he added with a smile.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the outcome of the Anambra South Senatorial by-election held on Saturday, August 16, accusing the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) of widespread electoral fraud and violence.

APC’s candidate, Azuka Okwuosa, who lost to APGA’s Emmanuel Nwachukwu, described the election as deeply flawed and called for its cancellation.

According to the official results announced by INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Frank Ojiako, Nwachukwu won with 90,408 votes, while Okwuosa came second with 19,847 votes. Donald Amamgbo of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) received 2,889 votes.

Speaking at a press conference in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Okwuosa condemned the poll as a “charade” and “a disgrace to democracy,” claiming that security forces and electoral officials were used to rig the process in APGA’s favour.

“What we witnessed was not an election but a carefully planned operation to sabotage the will of the people,” he said.

“Armed operatives under the guise of ‘Operation Udo-ga-chi’ were deployed to harass and intimidate voters across all seven local government areas.”

He also accused the operatives of laying siege to his residence and attempting to prevent him from voting.

According to him, he narrowly cast his ballot before the security personnel arrived.

Okwuosa claimed that APC had earlier raised concerns about possible manipulation and use of state apparatus to influence the outcome, saying those fears were validated by Saturday’s events.

“These security teams, made up of people with questionable backgrounds, invaded polling stations, prevented voting in many areas, and even attacked my home,” he added.

He further alleged that members of APGA and the state government, including the local government chairman and an Assembly member, were involved in orchestrating these activities.

He called on the public to reject the election results and urged his supporters to remain peaceful despite the provocation.

“I believe I won this election, and I have evidence to support that. We have CCTV footage of the incidents. Still, I’ve asked my supporters to remain calm and not retaliate,” he said.

He also criticized Governor Chukwuma Soludo, blaming him for the deteriorating security situation in the state and accusing him of failing to protect citizens during the election.

In response, APGA’s Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, dismissed Okwuosa’s allegations, calling them “the rant of a sore loser.”

“Anambra remains APGA territory. The APC has no real presence here,” Opara said.

“It’s ironic for a party that tried to manipulate the election to be the one crying foul.”

Opara claimed that the APC candidate was caught trying to divert electoral materials to his residence and accused his supporters of attacking APGA officials.

“Their governorship candidate physically assaulted the state’s Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Felix Odimegwu, who is now hospitalized,” Opara alleged.

“We have lawyers reviewing the matter, and legal action will be taken.”

He maintained that despite the tension, the people’s will ultimately prevailed.