The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the Anambra State Governorship Election, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has taken an early lead as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continues uploading results from Saturday’s poll.
As of late Saturday night, INEC had uploaded over 99 percent of results on its Results Viewing Portal (IReV) amid widespread allegations of vote-buying and electoral malpractices across the state.
Despite the early arrival of materials and prompt commencement of voting in several polling units, voter turnout was generally low, even though a higher number of voters had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the exercise.
Soludo Leads in Strongholds
Preliminary results show that Soludo, the incumbent governor, is leading across key local government areas including Aguata LGA in Anambra South and parts of Anambra Central, considered APGA strongholds.
Anambra State has 21 local government areas divided into the North, Central, and South senatorial districts.
INEC records show 2,802,790 registered voters, including 140,370 newly registered voters across 326 wards and 5,718 polling units.
Polling Unit Results
At his polling unit — Umuezeadigo Street, Polling Unit 002, Isuofia, Aguata LGA — Soludo secured 417 votes, defeating his closest rival, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, who polled four votes.
Ukachukwu, however, won his polling unit at Ward 2, Umudiala Village, Osumenyi, Nnewi South LGA, polling 108 votes in booth 1 and 126 votes in booth 2, while APGA managed four and six votes, respectively.
The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Dr. George Moghalu, lost his polling unit, polling 22 votes behind Soludo’s 57 votes.
APGA Maintains Early Lead
By 10 p.m. on Saturday, INEC had uploaded 99.14% of results, with APGA leading in most polling units while APC trailed closely behind.
In Ekwusigo LGA, APGA dominated with 1,548 votes across 17 polling units, compared to APC’s 599.
A similar pattern was recorded in Njikoka LGA, where APGA scored 3,452 votes in three wards, while APC had 666.
In Aguata LGA, Soludo’s home base, APGA recorded large margins, polling 165 votes at Ozalla/Akukwa PU, 285 at Umugama Hall, and 302 at Ihuowele Hall. APC votes in most units ranged between 5 and 30.
Across Ogbaru, Onitsha North and South, Oyi, Ayamelum, Orumba South, and Anaocha LGAs, APGA maintained its dominance, with Soludo leading in nearly all uploaded results.
Vote-Buying Allegations and Arrests
The election was marred by allegations of vote-buying.
Former Governor Peter Obi, who voted in Agulu, decried the practice, describing it as “a tragic symptom of Nigeria’s decaying democracy.”
“Vote-buying was between ₦20,000 and ₦30,000 per voter,” Obi said. “The victims of bad governance are the ones sustaining it.”
Governor Soludo, after voting in Isuofia, expressed confidence in winning all 21 LGAs but alleged that some voters were paid ₦15,000 each in parts of Nnewi South.
He said, “With one man, one vote, we will win by a landslide.”
The APC candidate, Ukachukwu, and YPP candidate, Paul Chukwuma, also accused political opponents of vote-buying and voter intimidation.
However, Soludo’s spokesman, Chris Aburime, dismissed the allegations, saying APGA “does not believe in vote-buying.”
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed the arrest of three suspects — Emeka Ilokasia, Nwachukwu Loretta, and Emuka Chuwudi — for alleged vote-buying in Njikoka, Oyi, and Dunukofia LGAs.
The agency said the suspects would be charged to court after investigation.
Violence and Irregularities
Tragedy struck in Orumba South LGA, where a councillor representing Owerre Ezukala community was shot dead by gunmen while attempting to vote.
A community leader, Odogwu Odemenna, condemned the incident, citing “security lapses” despite the presence of police officers nearby.
Also, tension flared in Ihiala after policemen allegedly fired teargas at the INEC secretariat, injuring a corps member and a Yiaga Africa observer.
Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident, describing it as “a rift between observers and ad hoc staff” that had been “resolved.”
Human Angle: Elderly and Youth Voters
At Ezienwelu Polling Unit 001, Nimo Ward 2, elderly voters struggled with the BVAS machine, which failed to recognize their faces.
A 76-year-old voter, Ifeyinwa Okafor, lamented, “They said our faces have changed; we had to use fingerprints.”
In Anaocha LGA, a 96-year-old woman, Mrs. Elizabeth Onike, wept after being told she could not vote because her voter card was invalid.
“I have always voted here,” she said. “Now they say I cannot. I’m heartbroken.”
In Isuofia, a visually impaired man, Pa Julius Nwafor, insisted on voting “to satisfy my conscience.”
Meanwhile, in Awka Ward 6, some youths were seen playing football near polling units instead of voting.
“It happens every election,” a resident said. “They prefer football to voting.”
Economic Survival Amid Restrictions
In Onitsha, traders near the Relief Market defied the restriction of movement order to open makeshift stalls by 7 a.m.
Vegetable seller Grace Ezeh said, “Elections are important, but so is feeding our families.”
Similarly, in Awka, residents bought food early in the day before heading to vote.
Summary
As at press time, the Anambra Governorship Election was shaping into a two-horse race between APGA and APC, with Governor Chukwuma Soludo maintaining a comfortable early lead across most local governments.
INEC is expected to announce official results after the final collation of all polling unit outcomes.
