*Transactions Range From N10,000-N15,000, They Claim
*Smooth Polling So Far
Voting is going on smoothly in today’s Anambra governorship election amid allegations of vote buying.
Both Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 poll, Mr. Peter Obi, and the party’s governorship candidate in today’s election, Mr. George Moghalu, have cast their votes.
State Governor Chukwuma Soludo is seeking re-election on the platform of his party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), with his performance in four years up for scrutiny.
Obi and Moghalu, however, frowned at what they described as widespread vote buying in the election.
Moghalu, who cast his ballot at Polling Unit (PU) 017, Uruagu Ward 1, Nnewi North Local Government Area (LGA), lamented that the buying and selling of votes was rampant in various communities, saying sums ranging from ₦10,000 to ₦15,000 were involved in the unlawful transactions.
He added: “Poverty was weaponised for massive vote buying. If you monetise your process and weaponise poverty, what is free about the election?”
According to him, the practice taints the democratic process.
On his part, Obi voted at his Umudimakasi, Agulu Ward 2, PU 008, where he spoke out against electoral malpractice, aligning with Moghalu’s concerns on vote buying.
A huge voter turnout was witnessed at Obi’s community.
The voters, who were mainly aged women, were seen sitting patiently at PU 019, Umudim Akasi, Agulu Ward 2.
The women waited patiently while INEC officials accredited voters who proceeded to the voting point.
Some voters at the PUs hailed the turnout, saying that more people might still arrive at the unit.
Obi and Moghalu called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a free, fair, and credible election, free from intimidation and the manipulation of vulnerable voters.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Obi casting his vote.
