Anambra Guber Poll: Peaceful Polls Blighted by Vote-Buying and Low Turnout

By Samuel Precious 

The 2025 Anambra Governorship Election was largely peaceful, well-coordinated, and reflective of voters’ choices. Though persistent vote-buying and low turnout highlighted ongoing challenges for Nigeria’s democratic process.

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According to the Anambra Election Observation Hub, a coalition of seven civil society organizations, which  include: Yiaga Africa, The Kukah Centre, and you 7 the International Press Centre, the election was conducted in an orderly manner across the state’s 21 local government areas. The coalition deployed 711 citizen observers to track the process, assess logistics, monitor inclusivity, and ensure media freedom.

Observers noted marked improvements in the conduct of the polls. By 7:30 a.m., nearly half of polling units were operational, a significant increase from previous elections. Voting started gradually and reached full operation in most units by mid-morning. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) functioned effectively in the majority of units, and the INEC Results Viewing Portal processed results quickly, with 98% uploaded by 7 p.m.

Yet, the election was not without challenges. Vote-buying remained widespread, with payments ranging from ₦3,000 to ₦15,000 per voter in some areas. Analysts say such inducements undermine electoral integrity and weaken public trust. Voter participation was low, with only 21.3% of registered voters casting ballots, slightly higher than in 2021 but still a cause for concern, particularly among young voters.

Security agencies maintained a professional presence in most polling units, ensuring calm and order. Isolated incidents of violence were rare, though one fatality was reported in Orumba South LGA. Local vigilante groups, previously known for interference, were notably absent, signaling improved adherence to electoral security protocols.

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The election also made strides in inclusivity. Polling units were mostly accessible to persons with disabilities, though assistive tools like Braille guides and magnifiers were limited. A pilot deployment of 25 sign language interpreters enabled deaf voters to participate independently for the first time in the state’s elections. Women played a significant role, making up 61% of polling officials and 45% of security personnel, though female candidates remained underrepresented, winning less than 1% of total votes.

Media coverage was robust and professional, with journalists reporting freely. Misinformation circulating on social media was quickly countered by fact-checking platforms, helping to maintain public confidence.

Independent verification by Yiaga Africa’s Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) confirmed that official results closely matched actual votes cast. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won decisively with approximately 72% of the vote, followed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) at 17%, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) at 6%, the the the Labour Party (LP) at 1.8%, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at 0.2%.

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The observers called on INEC to continue improving logistics, ensure full ballot secrecy, enforce laws against vote-buying, expand voter education especially for youth and women and institutionalize accessibility measures for persons with disabilities. Security agencies were urged to maintain their professionalism and presence, particularly in high-risk areas.

While the 2025 Anambra election demonstrated that credible, peaceful elections are possible, the persistence of vote-buying and low voter turnout show that Nigeria still has work to do to strengthen its democracy.

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