The Independent National Electoral Commission has resumed the collation of results for the Anambra State governorship election after a brief suspension earlier announced by the State Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Edogah Omoregie.
Following the resumption, results from Anambra West and Ihiala Local Government Areas were presented, with the All Progressives Grand Alliance candidate, Chukwuma Soludo, maintaining a commanding lead.
According to figures announced, APGA secured 422,664 votes, the All Progressives Congress 99,445 votes, the Labour Party 10,505 votes, and the Peoples Democratic Party 1,401 votes. Soludo won in all 21 local government areas declared so far.
As of press time, INEC had uploaded 99.14 per cent of results from the election onto its Result Viewing Portal. Reports from polling units showed that APGA led across most LGAs, with APC trailing in second place.
In Aguata, Onitsha North and South, Njikoka, and Orumba South, APGA recorded wide margins over the APC. Soludo also won his polling unit at Umuezeadigo Street in Isuofia, Aguata LGA, with 417 votes against APC’s four.
The APC candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, won his own polling unit at Umudiala village, Nnewi South, polling 108 votes to APGA’s four. Labour Party candidate, Dr George Moghalu, lost his unit, polling 22 votes against Soludo’s 57.
A review of uploaded results showed that APGA maintained a strong lead in Ekwusigo, Oyi, Ayamelum, and Anaocha LGAs, among others, while the APC struggled to make significant gains.
Voter turnout across the state was generally low despite early distribution of election materials. INEC said 2,802,790 voters were eligible to participate in the election, including 140,370 newly registered voters.
Meanwhile, reports of vote-buying sparked outrage among candidates and observers. Former Anambra governor and Labour Party leader, Peter Obi, said vote-buying had worsened democracy, alleging payments of up to N30,000 per voter.
Governor Soludo also alleged that some voters in Nnewi South were paid N15,000 each but expressed confidence of winning “by a landslide.” APC’s Ukachukwu and YPP’s Paul Chukwuma also accused local government chairmen and thugs of voter intimidation, which APGA denied.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said it arrested three political agents for alleged vote-buying in Njikoka, Oyi, and Dunukofia LGAs.
Tragedy struck in Orumba South when a councillor representing Owerre Ezukala was shot dead while attempting to vote. A corps member and an election observer were also injured in Ihiala after police officers fired tear gas during a scuffle.
In several polling units, elderly voters struggled with BVAS accreditation issues, while in some areas, youths ignored the election to play football.
Despite a restriction on movement, traders in Onitsha and Awka defied the order to sell food and goods.
With 99 per cent of results uploaded, Soludo appeared set to retain his seat, pending INEC’s final declaration.
