The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the conduct of Saturday’s Anambra governorship election, describing the exercise as a “heavily monetised process” that ridicules democratic ideals and erodes public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party accused the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra of engaging in widespread vote buying, voter intimidation, and manipulation of the electoral process.
According to Abdullahi, reports from ADC agents and observers across various polling units indicated that large sums of money were openly distributed to voters in exchange for votes, while security agents and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) allegedly looked the other way.
He lamented that despite the enormous resources and reforms invested in Nigeria’s electoral process, the Anambra election demonstrated how the culture of impunity, political desperation, and monetisation have continued to hinder the growth of true democracy.
“What we witnessed in Anambra State on Saturday was not an election, but a cash bazaar. It is unfortunate that political parties and candidates have reduced our democracy to a marketplace where votes are bought and sold to the highest bidder,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC spokesperson further noted that the development has far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s democratic future, especially for credible candidates and parties who refuse to engage in vote trading.
He urged INEC and security agencies to thoroughly investigate the allegations of vote buying and electoral malpractice to restore confidence in the electoral system.
“If these shameful acts are allowed to stand unchallenged, we will be sending a dangerous message to Nigerians—that democracy in our country is now for sale. We call on INEC to uphold the integrity of the process and ensure that those involved are brought to book,” he added.
Abdullahi, however, commended the people of Anambra who resisted inducement and voted according to their conscience, describing them as “the true defenders of democracy.”
He reiterated ADC’s commitment to promoting clean, issue-based politics and strengthening institutions that guarantee free and fair elections in Nigeria.
