…INEC uploads 99% of results
Residents of Anambra State turned out yesterday to vote in the 2025 governorship election, with reports indicating largely peaceful conduct across the 21 local government areas.
Accreditation and voting commenced around 8 a.m. in most polling units, with minor BVAS hitches reported. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said 2,802,790 registered voters were expected to participate across 5,718 polling units.
By 9:12 p.m., INEC had uploaded 98.99% of results on its Result Viewing Portal (IReV), covering 5,662 of the 5,720 polling units. The swift upload marked a significant improvement in the transparency of the electoral process.
However, the exercise was not without controversy. Incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Labour Party leader Peter Obi both raised concerns over widespread vote-buying and alleged attempts to manipulate results during collation.
“The only concern we have is that one party has written results to swap during collation”, Soludo said after casting his vote. Obi similarly condemned voters who sold their votes, warning that such actions “sell away your future, your schools, and your hospitals”.
Security was tight across the state, with the Niger Bridge in Onitsha cordoned-off and market leaders in Aguata temporarily closing shops to encourage voter participation.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested three suspected vote-buyers — Emeka Ilokasia, Nwachukwu Loretta, and Emuka Chuwudi — in Njikoka, Oyi, and Dunukofia local government areas respectively. The suspects are expected to be charged to court after investigations.
Major candidates in the election include: Governor Soludo (APGA), Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC), Paul Chukwuma (YPP), George Moghalu (LP), and Jude Ezenwafor (PDP).
Despite isolated incidents of malpractice and low voter turnout in some areas, observers, including the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, described the overall process as largely peaceful, with INEC’s prompt results upload enhancing credibility.
