Group Warn Say Make People No Normalise Vote Buying After Anambra Election

One civic group wey dem dey call Citizen Monitors don warn say make people no dey treat vote buying as normal thing for Nigerian elections, following reports wey talk say money dey change hand for Anambra governorship election wey happen last weekend. For statement wey Head of Communications, Olajumoke Alawode-James issue on Tuesday, di group yarn say di election look calm and orderly on paper, but underneath, plenty cash dey move quietly, bags dey change hand, and subtle pressure dey around polling units. Dem talk say even if queues dey neat, machines dey work, and result sheets dey sign, e no mean say election credible if money dey sway voters. Co-founder Adeshope Haastrup talk say if people begin dey accept vote buying as normal, e go destroy di foundation of democracy, and na like say we dey decide the kind country wey our children go face.

Di warning follow reactions after INEC declare Governor Chukwuma Soludo (APGA) winner, wey beat rivals from Labour Party and APC. Even though INEC reject say vote buying widespread, EFCC confirm say dem arrest three suspected vote buyers. Opposition like Labour Party’s George Moghalu and ADC accuse di election of vote buying, underage voting, and other wahala. Citizen Monitors call INEC, security agencies, and anti-corruption bodies make dem treat di case serious and punish people wey involve. Dem also urge Nigerians say no accept money, dey document irregularities, and defend their votes. Olajumoke add say, “If this election vex you, turn am to decision: I no go sell my vote. I go record di truth. I go wake my street. We either rise together or sink together.” Di group conclude say Anambra election na warning for 2027 polls, and action of citizens go decide whether next election go reflect dignity or desperation.