(DDM) – Labour Party candidate in the recent Anambra State governorship election, George Moghalu, has explained why he lost in his own polling unit.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Moghalu made the revelation while speaking on Sunday Politics, a programme on Channels Television monitored by Daily Post.
He attributed his defeat to widespread vote-buying allegedly sponsored by rival political parties during the election.
According to Moghalu, he refused to participate in the illegal practice because he could not afford the large sums of money being distributed by other candidates.
He said his commitment to running a clean and transparent campaign made it impossible for him to match the spending power of those involved in the illicit activity.
The Labour Party candidate stated that the financial hardship faced by many voters made them vulnerable to monetary inducement.
Moghalu lamented that most of the electorate in his polling unit succumbed to the temptation of money due to their poor economic conditions.
“Yes, because I couldn’t afford how much that was being paid,” he explained.
“I couldn’t pay, and I refused to pay. I refused to get involved,” he added.
He described the election as one where money, not merit, determined the outcome in several polling units across the state.
Moghalu accused the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) of being the main culprit behind the alleged vote-buying.
He claimed that several individuals caught offering money to voters were wearing APGA identification tags during the election.
“Some of them are on record as having been seen purchasing votes,” he stated.
He further alleged that a serving commissioner in Anambra State was caught on camera buying votes in his own constituency.
According to him, this development raises serious concerns about the integrity and transparency of the entire electoral process.
Moghalu said that despite his party’s commitment to democratic principles, the influence of money undermined the will of the people.
He emphasized that the monetization of politics remains one of the biggest threats to credible elections in Nigeria.
The Labour Party candidate urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute individuals found guilty of electoral malpractice.
He expressed disappointment that such acts continue to define elections in Anambra and other parts of the country.
Moghalu stressed that unless the culture of vote-buying is tackled, genuine candidates who rely on their credibility and policies will always be at a disadvantage.
He maintained that democracy can only thrive when voters are allowed to freely choose their leaders without financial inducement.
The incident has sparked renewed debate about the growing role of money in Nigerian politics and the urgent need for electoral reforms.
Observers note that despite the introduction of technologies like BVAS and IReV, the scourge of vote-buying continues to distort the credibility of elections.
Moghalu’s revelation adds to the chorus of voices calling for stronger institutions and enforcement mechanisms to protect the sanctity of the ballot.
