Nnewi, Anambra State — Voting in parts of Nnewi South during the Anambra governorship election on Saturday was marked by concerns over vote buying and security lapses, raising alarm among election observers and candidates alike.
ADC governorship candidate John Chuma Nwosu cast his vote at Oduda Central Primary School, Nnewi-Ichia Ward 2, at exactly 11:25 a.m. Speaking to journalists afterward, he criticized the rising incidence of vote buying, describing it as a serious threat to democracy and the will of the people.
“I will rather stand by integrity and lose honorably than buy votes to win,” Nwosu declared, affirming that his campaign remains grounded in principle and transparency.
Observers at the polling unit praised his calm and confident demeanor, calling him “a man of conviction” committed to democratic values.
Meanwhile, Philip Nnamdi, a TNCI election observer, raised alarms over the management of polling units in the area.
He reported had reported that vote-buying practices, noting cases where party operatives were collecting voter cards, with INEC officials allegedly providing forms that were handed back to party agents to deposit in ballot boxes.
“They are actually buying votes, negotiating. It is sad,” Nnamdi said, stressing that he had escalated the matter to TNCI to request additional security personnel at affected polling units.
Both Nwosu and Nnamdi’s reports reflect growing concerns among political candidates, election monitors, and civil society groups regarding the integrity of the electoral process in Nnewi. Their interventions aim to safeguard voters’ rights and ensure that elections are conducted transparently, free from coercion or manipulation.
As voting continues across Anambra State, civil society observers are urging citizens to remain vigilant and resist inducements, emphasizing that the credibility of the election depends on collective adherence to democratic principles rather than financial influence.
