EFCC Officials Storm Anambra As Vote Buying Mars Election Atmosphere

Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrived in Anambra State on Saturday morning to monitor the ongoing governorship election, as early reports of vote buying and electoral misconduct began to surface.

At the Community Primary School in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area, EFCC officers were seen inspecting the environment and observing the voting process to ensure compliance with electoral rules. Their presence, according to eyewitnesses, was meant to discourage money politics and voter inducement.

However, things took a controversial turn elsewhere in the state. At Central School, Utuh, one of the polling centres in Nnewi South, a woman was caught on camera being accompanied to the voting cubicle by a party agent, an act that directly violates INEC’s rule of voter privacy.

Tension As Party Agent Disrupts Polling Booth

In a video obtained by journalists, the agent was heard asking the woman in Igbo, “Ego ole?” meaning “How much?”, a question many interpreted as an attempt to negotiate a bribe.

Moments later, election officials confronted him, accusing him of trespassing and interference. The man, however, insisted that he had the voter’s permission to assist her and refused to leave the booth. His outburst sparked chaos, as other party agents and residents intervened, halting the voting process temporarily.

Witnesses at the scene condemned the incident, describing it as another example of how electoral malpractice continues to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process.

An election observer from the Situation Room, Dimma Nwobi, also raised concern over the rising cases of vote trading in parts of the state. She alleged that in Nnewi North, party agents were openly collecting voters’ cards and negotiating payments before dropping completed ballot papers into the boxes.

Anambra poll: BVAS Malfunction Delays Voting In Onitsha

“They are actually buying votes and negotiating in the open. It is sad,” Nwobi said. “Some INEC officials just stood by and watched as party representatives took control of the process.”

INEC Expects Over 2.8 Million Voters

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a total of 2,802,790 registered voters are eligible to vote across 5,718 polling units in 21 local government areas of Anambra.

The election features 16 candidates, including the incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Nicholas Ukachukwu of the APC, Paul Chukwuma of the YPP, George Moghalu of the Labour Party, and Jude Ezenwafor representing the PDP.

Despite the strong security presence, reports of malfunctioning BVAS machines and early disruptions have continued to test the credibility of the process.

As the EFCC and election observers keep watch, many voters are calling for stricter enforcement to ensure that the outcome truly reflects the will of the people.