Several top politicians and governorship candidates say vote-buying was common in parts of Anambra State as people went to the polls to elect a governor.
The All Progressives Congress candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, said voters were being paid and complained about the rough treatment of his team after he cast his vote.
“If there’s no seller, there cannot be a buyer. Some people have chosen to sell their conscience, which is even worse than those buying votes," he said.
“When you give up your right for money, you lose your voice as a citizen. You can’t cry later, society must be blamed for encouraging this.”
Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who is seeking re-election as the APGA candidate, told reporters that voters in Nnewi South were paid as much as ₦15,000 in some places.
“People should be allowed to vote; that is what matters,” he said.
Soludo and others warned that handing out monies before or during voting damages the election.
Former governor Peter Obi said he saw large cash payments in several areas and warned about the effect on young voters.
“Unfortunately, those who are the victims of bad governance seem to be the ones fuelling it," Obi said.
"I have moved around, listened, and observed what’s happening. What you see predominantly is vote buying, on a scale of ₦30,000, ₦20,000, ₦15,000."
The Labour Party candidate George Moghalu also complained about cash-for-votes and said, verbatim, “Poverty was weaponised for massive vote buying. If you monetise your process and weaponise poverty, what is free about the election?”
Observers said they were sending reports to a national situation room to check claims.
It is unclear if any formal complaints have been submitted to INEC or any police action taken on alleged violence.
