Hon. IG Amaechi Okoro, a member of the Obidient influencers’ network that supported Labour Party candidate George Moghalu during the just-concluded Anambra State governorship election, has revealed how his attempt to raise concerns about campaign realities was abruptly interrupted.
Hon. Okoro made the revelation during an interview on Monday with DDM while reflecting on the internal challenges faced by Moghalu’s campaign team in the build-up to the election.
According to him, weeks before the election, he attended a strategic meeting with other Obidient influencers where he advised the group to develop a realistic strategy to counter the growing influence of vote-buying among rival political parties.
Okoro explained that his suggestion was not to promote electoral malpractice but to confront the harsh reality that Nigerian elections often involve monetary inducements.
He said that during the meeting, he stood up to make a practical point that the campaign should anticipate and prepare for the possibility that other parties might use financial incentives to sway voters.
However, before he could fully express his thoughts, the moderator of the meeting reportedly interrupted him and seized the microphone.
According to Okoro, the moderator’s action reflected the sensitivity of the issue and the tension within the Obidient group over discussions related to money in politics.
He stated that he merely wanted the team to understand the seriousness of vote-buying and its impact on voter behavior, not to endorse the practice.
Hon. Okoro lamented that some members misunderstood his position, thinking he was encouraging the group to buy votes.
He clarified that his statement, “let’s plan on vote-buying”, was meant to provoke a deeper discussion about how to protect the integrity of their votes and counter opponents’ financial influence, not to engage in bribery.
The Obidient movement, a broad coalition of young Nigerians who initially rose to prominence during the 2023 general elections in support of Peter Obi, had expanded its influence into state-level campaigns across Nigeria, including Anambra.
During the Anambra governorship election, the group played a major role in mobilizing grassroots support for George Moghalu, the Labour Party candidate.
However, despite their enthusiasm, internal disagreements reportedly weakened the effectiveness of their campaign strategy.
Okoro’s revelation sheds light on the internal divisions and ideological conflicts that sometimes exist within reform-driven political movements.
He argued that one of the biggest mistakes reformist groups make is ignoring the operational realities of Nigeria’s political environment.
According to him, while moral purity is important, political success in Nigeria often depends on grassroots logistics, voter education, and addressing the influence of poverty-driven vote-selling.
He noted that his advice was rooted in experience and concern for the future of ethical campaigns in the country.
Hon. Okoro further stressed that political reform in Nigeria must go beyond idealism and must include strategic preparation to confront electoral malpractice head-on.
He urged members of the Obidient movement and other reform-minded groups to balance their moral ideals with practical approaches that ensure their messages reach ordinary citizens effectively.
Observers say his revelation underscores the continuing struggle between political idealism and the harsh realities of Nigerian elections, where vote-buying remains a persistent challenge.
The Anambra governorship election, held amid tight security and widespread allegations of vote-trading, once again exposed the deep-rooted influence of money on Nigeria’s democratic process.
Hon. Okoro’s statement adds to growing public debate on how reform-minded politicians can navigate a system still heavily dominated by financial inducement and entrenched interests.
He concluded that unless civic education and voter empowerment are strengthened, genuine candidates like George Moghalu will continue to face unfair disadvantages in elections determined by money rather than merit.
