By Dalena Reporters | November 8, 2025
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed widespread allegations of vote-buying in the ongoing Anambra State governorship election, calling on individuals and organizations making such claims to present concrete evidence to back their accusations.
The commission’s spokesperson, Dr. Sam Olumekun, said INEC has not received any verifiable report or credible complaint of vote trading from accredited election observers or political party agents, contrary to speculations circulating on social media and some local news outlets.
INEC: No Verified Evidence Yet
Dr. Olumekun explained that INEC’s field officers and election monitors deployed across the 21 local government areas had not confirmed any official incidents of monetary inducement or voter bribery during the voting process.
“So far, there is no substantiated evidence before the Commission to confirm that vote-buying took place during the election,” he said. “We call on anyone with tangible proof to come forward and assist the Commission and law enforcement agencies with verifiable details for investigation.”
He added that while INEC acknowledges that reports of alleged inducement occasionally surface during elections, the Commission relies strictly on documented complaints, witness testimony, and security agency reports before taking action.
The statement followed reports earlier in the day that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arrested three suspects in Anambra over alleged vote-buying. However, INEC clarified that the EFCC’s arrests were independent of its operations and that the Commission had not received any formal petition linking the suspects to electoral misconduct within polling units.
Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and Civil Defence Corps, were also said to be maintaining surveillance across sensitive areas of the state to prevent any financial inducement or voter intimidation.
INEC also cautioned civil society groups, journalists, and political commentators against circulating unverified claims that could undermine public confidence in the election process.
“Observers and media partners play a vital role in promoting transparency. However, premature allegations without evidence can erode trust in the electoral system,” Dr. Olumekun noted.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every report of malpractice is treated with seriousness once proper documentation is submitted.
Vote-buying has remained a major concern in Nigerian elections, often leading to arrests and investigations by anti-graft and security agencies. In the case of Anambra’s 2025 governorship election, the Commission said it had taken preventive measures, including the restriction of phones within voting cubicles and closer monitoring of polling agents, to reduce opportunities for inducement.
The Anambra poll, which saw a mix of high expectations and low turnout in some areas, has been largely peaceful, with INEC officials reporting successful completion of voting and result collation in most local government areas.
As the Commission moves toward concluding the collation process, it reiterated that any confirmed instances of vote-buying or electoral fraud would be referred for prosecution in accordance with the Electoral Act 2022.
“INEC remains committed to credible, transparent, and accountable elections. We will not hesitate to collaborate with relevant agencies to sanction offenders once credible evidence is presented,” the statement added.
Dalena Reporters — Election Monitoring Desk
Reporting on Nigeria’s 2025 Anambra Governorship Election with verified facts, field analysis, and official agency updates.