Reports of vote buying have emerged during the Onitsha North 1 State Constituency by-election in Anambra State, with agents of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) allegedly offering cash incentives to voters.
The by-election, prompted by the death of Hon. Justice Azuka, has drawn significant political interest despite its limited scale. APGA is reportedly backing a new candidate to maintain its hold on the seat, while the ADC is supporting Mrs. Justina Azuka, widow of the late lawmaker, in a bid to retain the position within the family.
Observers say the election has become a show of political strength. Governor Chukwuma Soludo is said to view the poll as an opportunity to reinforce his party’s popularity ahead of the 2025 governorship race. Conversely, the ADC, with support from party coalition leader Peter Obi, is reportedly leveraging the by-election to gauge its grassroots influence.
Eyewitness accounts from Omagba and Osuma wards claim that both parties have engaged in open vote buying. One resident, Mr. Ikechukwu Orji, stated: “There has been no violence so far, but in Omagba and Osuma, party agents are openly offering money to voters — APGA is paying N10,000 per vote while ADC is offering N5,000.”
Another source, who requested anonymity, alleged that the funds may be coming from high-level party figures, suggesting that “Soludo and Peter Obi” are backing their respective candidates financially, as “the candidates themselves likely don’t have that kind of money.”
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, no official statements have yet been made by electoral authorities regarding vote buying in the election.
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