The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) deployed its operatives to key polling units in Anambra State on Saturday, in a bold move to curb financial inducement of voters during the governorship election.
Their presence proved timely as a major scandal nearly marred the process at Central School Utuh. A tense situation unfolded when a party agent was caught covertly escorting a female voter into the voting cubicle, a clear violation of electoral guidelines. Eyewitnesses reported hearing the agent ask the voter, “Ego ole?” which translates to “How much?”—a phrase that has become synonymous with vote-buying.
When election officials confronted him, the agent retorted loudly, “She is the one who asked me to accompany her to show her, and I have every right to follow her!” His defiance sparked outrage among other voters and party agents, leading to a rowdy scene that briefly halted the electoral process.
The incident confirmed earlier alarms raised by election observers. Dimma Nwobi, a Situation Room observer, reported witnessing widespread vote-buying and operational lapses. She stated, “Party machineries were collecting people’s cards… They are actually buying votes, negotiating. It is sad.” She also reported that INEC and police officials in Nnewi North were still stranded without transportation to their polling stations as of 8:15 a.m., highlighting significant logistical challenges.
Despite the challenges, the election proceeded across 5,718 polling units, with major contenders like incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of APGA and Nicholas Ukachukwu of APC vying for the votes of 2.8 million registered voters.
