By David Onwuchekwa
On November 8, 2025, Anambra State will go to the polls to elect a new Governor or renew the mandate of the incumbent, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo.
In every election, one fact remains constant: only one candidate will emerge victorious. There is no reward for second place, and there must be no shortcuts to first. The future of the state rests on the free will of the people, not on the exchange of money for votes.
The ugly trend of vote buying that tainted the recent Anambra South Senatorial by-election should not be allowed to repeat itself. That by-election exposed how political parties and their agents openly compromised the process by offering cash inducements to voters.
Such practices amount to nothing less than an assault on our democracy. When voters sell their conscience for money, they mortgage quality education, healthcare, infrastructure, and ultimately, good governance.
They also lose the moral ground to complain about bad leadership, because they played a role in enthroning it.
Nigeria’s Electoral Act makes it clear that both buying and selling of votes are criminal offenses. The penalties are stiff, which could be fines, imprisonment, or both. Yet, the law alone cannot change attitudes.
The people must take responsibility. Hunger and hardship may tempt many to accept inducements, but no amount of cash handed out on election day can compensate for four years of suffering under bad governance. It is wiser to endure momentary hardship than to consign society to long-term decay.
INEC and security agencies must rise to the occasion. The sanctity of the ballot must be protected through stricter enforcement of electoral rules, proper monitoring of polling units, and swift prosecution of offenders.
Observers and the media should be given unhindered access, while security operatives must ensure that no political actor uses intimidation or inducement to undermine the process. The credibility of this election will depend largely on how determined institutions are to curb malpractice.
Political parties, on their part, must learn to compete on ideas, not on envelopes. Any candidate who believes in their popularity and manifesto should have no reason to buy votes. Resorting to inducements is an admission of weakness and lack of confidence in the people’s mandate.
Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the voters. Every ballot paper is a seed of hope for the state. Selling that vote for a token is selling the future of our children and generations unborn. Anambra must not allow the shame of the last by-election to stain the forthcoming governorship poll. November 8 is an opportunity to show that elections can be free, fair, credible, and devoid of monetary influence.
The message is simple: say no to vote buying, protect your conscience, and let the will of the people prevail. That is the only way Anambra can strengthen democracy and build a future that truly reflects the choice of its citizens.
