• Governor Chukwuma Soludo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) this morning declared Governor Chukwuma Soludo as the winner of the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State.

The incumbent governor, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) polled 422,664 votes to emerge the winner of the election, with his closest rival, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scoring 99,445 votes to come second.

Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Edogah Omoregie, made the declaration at the commission’s headquarters in Awka on Sunday.

Paul Chukwuma, the candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) secured 37,753 votes.

While the Labour Party candidate, George Moghalu scored 10,576 votes, John Nwosu, the candidate of the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC) polled 8,208 votes.

Some voters in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, have expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as “poor consideration” after allegedly being offered small amounts of money to vote.

A voter who spoke off-camera to the Anambra Broadcasting Cooperation, ABS, expressed anger over the situation.

She stated that as at 9:00 am, no one was at the Central School, Obosi, where the voting took place.

According to her, an announcement was later made urging residents to come out and cast their votes.

She said many people responded and turned out to exercise their civic duty, only to be given N1,000 afterward.

She described the amount as “too small,” considering the stress they went through to participate in the election.

Former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of Labour Party in 2023, Mr Peter Obi has cast his vote in the ongoing governorship election in the state.

Obi voter at his polling unit 019, Umudim Akasi, Agulu Ward 2, Anaocha Local Government Area.

Obi voted at exactly 11:46 am.

Speaking with journalists after casting his vote, Obi lamented Nigeria’s deteriorating democracy.

He said: “Our democracy is deteriorating, and unfortunately, those who are benefiting from bad governance seem to be fueling it.

“I have been able to listen and move around to see what is happening, and it is bad that we still experience vote buying. Someone who is not employed collects N30,000 for his vote, that means you have sold your school, your hospital, your job opportunities and selling away your future. That is what is very worrisome about our democracy.

“Other countries, even west African countries that are close to us where I have observed election, I haven’t seen something like this happening. This must stop.

“I’m not on the ballot, but I’m a member of Labour Party and I support my candidate, Dr George Moghalu. All the people contesting are my friends and I wish them well.”