Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested three suspected vote buyers during the Anambra State governorship election held on Saturday, November 8th, 2025. The suspects—Emeka Ilokasia, Nwachukwu Loretta, and Emuka Chuwudi—were apprehended at different locations across Anambra: Ward 2 in Njikoka Local Government, Ward 2 (008) in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government, and Umunachi Village in Dunukofia Local Government, respectively.
The EFCC confirmed the arrests in a statement shared on its social media platforms, noting that all three suspects were caught while actively participating in influencing the electoral process through vote buying. “All the suspects were arrested while participating in the governorship election held on Saturday, November 8, 2025. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” the commission stated.
Incumbent Governor Charles Soludo also voiced concerns about vote buying in certain areas during the election, alleging that some political actors planned to manipulate results. He warned of reports, particularly from the southern local government, where large-scale vote buying reportedly took place, with allegations that one candidate had been distributing N15,000 per voter to influence outcomes. Soludo urged security agencies to remain vigilant amidst the sensitive electoral process.
Similarly, former Anambra Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, who cast his vote at Polling Unit 019, Umudim Akasi Agulu 2, Ward 8, cautioned the electorate against selling their votes. Obi described vote selling as “a trade-off for their future,” emphasizing the importance of electoral integrity.
Nevertheless, opposition voices expressed their concerns about the election’s fairness. For instance, John Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) of widespread vote buying, while Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) alleged that his party agents faced intimidation alongside episodes of voter inducement.
The election day was marked by a heavy presence of security personnel across major cities, including Onitsha, where the Niger Bridge was cordoned off to ensure the safe movement of election officials and materials. Despite the security deployment, electoral irregularities such as vote buying remained a serious issue as highlighted by both the EFCC arrests and political stakeholders.In a related incident, Polling Unit 005, Ochuche-Umuodu in Ogbaru Local Government registered an unusually low voter turnout, with only one voter casting a ballot out of 231 registered voters. This lone voter cast their ballot for APGA, while the other parties received zero votes. Officials and security personnel were present at the unit but did not witness significant electoral participation.
The EFCC’s intervention underscores the ongoing challenges of curbing electoral malpractice in Nigeria, with vote buying threatening the credibility of democratic processes. The arrested suspects face prosecution as the commission completes its investigations into these offenses.
