By Boluwatife Adedokun
Tension has gripped several polling units across Anambra State as reports of intimidation and vote buying continue to trail the ongoing governorship election.
In Isuofia, the hometown of the incumbent governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, chaos erupted at Polling Units 006, 007, and 017 in Aguata Local Government Area after an agent of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was reportedly seen shouting at an NYSC corps member, who was serving as an ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to findings by the Harbinger correspondent under the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), the agent allegedly claimed he was under pressure to “deliver his polling unit” for APGA, resulting in a heated confrontation that was captured on video by election observers.
Despite the commotion, electoral officials and security personnel — including four police officers and two road safety operatives — continued to oversee the voting process.
Meanwhile, similar incidents of vote buying were recorded at Community Primary School 1, Achalla, in Awka North Local Government Area, around 10:51 a.m., at Polling Units 003 and 004, Ward 1 (Achalla 1).
Reports obtained by the CJID election observer team revealed that some APGA and APC agents were openly offering ₦10,000 to voters in exchange for proof of their votes. In one instance, an APGA agent at Polling Unit 003 was seen distributing cash to voters after confirming their ballot choices.
Observers also reported that some security operatives allegedly turned a blind eye to the activities, while journalists attempting to document the scene were cautioned and had their phones inspected.
At Polling Unit 004, party agents from both APGA and APC were engaged in a fierce contest to lure voters with cash inducements. Footage from the area showed a young man displaying his ballot paper to claim his promised token, while a woman was stopped by the Presiding Officer from doing the same.
Witnesses further identified a woman wearing a hat who was reportedly coordinating payments of ₦10,000 to voters whose names had been recorded, raising deep concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
Observers have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the growing allegations of vote trading and intimidation, warning that such actions could undermine the credibility of the Anambra Governorship Election.
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