The November 2025 Anambra governorship election has come and gone, but its echoes continue to reverberate across Nigeria’s political landscape. The contest, which saw incumbent Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) win an emphatic second term, has been widely described as a “credible but monetised” exercise, a paradox that neatly captures both Nigeria’s electoral progress and its enduring structural failures.
For the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the poll represented more than a state election. It was a stress test of credibility, logistics, and institutional readiness ahead of the 2027 general elections. By many measures, INEC showed improvement in transparency and management. Yet, by the same token, persistent flaws vote-buying, voter apathy, disinformation, and institutional complacency exposed how fragile Nigeria’s democratic process remains.
A Peaceful Poll, an Efficient Process
From the onset, observers had feared that the election might degenerate into violence, given Anambra’s history of politically motivated unrest. However, the exercise turned out to be one of the most peaceful in the state’s recent electoral history.
Thanks to the deployment of over 45,000 security personnel across 21 local government areas, the election was conducted with relative calm. In major towns like Awka, Nnewi, Onitsha, and Ekwulobia, voters turned out early, accreditation started on time, and results were transmitted promptly.
The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), in its post-election analysis, gave INEC high marks for operational efficiency, noting that 99.62 percent of results were uploaded in real time on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, a feat unprecedented in the state’s electoral record.
Similarly, 98.8 percent of registered voters collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the election, underscoring strong pre-election preparation. While logistical hitches persisted in a few polling units, mainly in riverine and remote communities overall, the process was orderly and professional.
“INEC’s planning and logistical deployment were significantly better than in previous elections,” said a CDD election observer based in Onitsha. “Polling officers arrived early, the BVAS worked efficiently, and the result upload was almost seamless. This is the level of transparency we want to see going into 2027.”
Governor Soludo, addressing reporters after casting his vote in Aguata, echoed similar sentiments. “This is the best-organised election INEC has conducted in Anambra so far,” he declared. “We must commend the new INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, and his team for their commitment to a transparent process.”
Even President Bola Tinubu joined in commending the electoral body, describing the exercise as “a positive signal of institutional maturity and democratic consolidation.” In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Tinubu said: “The conduct of the Anambra governorship election demonstrates that Nigeria’s democracy is maturing. The credit goes to both INEC and the Nigerian people who are increasingly demanding transparency.”
The Dark Shadow of Vote Buying
But beneath the praise lies a darker narrative, one that continues to undermine the very essence of democratic choice. Across several polling units, vote-buying was rampant, often conducted openly under the watch of security operatives and electoral officials.
In parts of Nnewi North, Njikoka, and Dunukofia local government areas, party agents were reportedly seen distributing envelopes and credit transfers to voters before they cast their ballots. According to field reports, the going rate ranged between ₦3,000 and ₦20,000 per voter, depending on location and perceived political loyalty.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), which fielded John Chuma Nwosu as its candidate, described the exercise as “a heavily monetised spectacle that undermined democracy.” In a post-election statement, the ADC said: “INEC may have delivered a technically sound election, but the process was politically compromised by the brazen use of cash to buy conscience.”
Similarly, the Labour Party’s flagbearer, Dr. George Moghalu, condemned what he called “a cash-for-votes bazaar,” accusing major parties of turning the poll into “a marketplace of political immorality.” Moghalu alleged that some security agents “looked the other way” as political thugs and intermediaries shared money near polling stations.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed that its operatives arrested three suspects for alleged vote-buying in Oyi, Njikoka, and Dunukofia LGAs. However, the commission said investigations were ongoing and declined to release names.
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Anambra, Queen Elizabeth Agwu, dismissed the opposition’s claims as exaggerated. Speaking on Channels Television, she said: “Vote buying is a serious electoral offence. However, INEC cannot act on speculation. If anyone has credible evidence, they should present it formally. What we saw were isolated incidents, not systemic manipulation.”
But for civil society actors, that defense fell short. “INEC cannot wash its hands off this issue,” said Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, a member of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG). “An election cannot be said to be credible if the electorate’s decision is driven by cash inducement rather than conscience. It’s time we criminalize the demand side of vote buying, not just the supply side.”
Low Turnout and the Crisis of Voter Apathy
Despite improved logistics and peaceful conduct, the Anambra election recorded a voter turnout of only 21.4 percent. Though this was a modest improvement over the 10.2 percent turnout in the 2021 poll, it still represents one of the lowest levels of citizen participation in the country.
For a state that prides itself on political sophistication, the figures are worrying. Many registered voters stayed home, either disillusioned by governance failures or convinced their votes would not make a difference.
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CDD’s analysis noted that youth participation was particularly low despite a surge in registration enthusiasm during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. The think tank attributed this to “a growing sense of civic fatigue, economic hardship, and loss of faith in the political system.”
Women and persons with disabilities also faced significant challenges. Several polling centres were located in inaccessible areas, and assistive devices such as Braille ballots were unavailable in some units.
“The enthusiasm of registration did not translate into participation,” observed Professor Amina Zakari, a political scientist at the University of Abuja. “This is partly because Nigerian elections remain elite-driven. Until citizens begin to see a tangible link between voting and better governance outcomes, apathy will persist.”
Disinformation and the Battle for Truth
Another troubling trend in the Anambra poll was the spread of disinformation and digital propaganda, much of it fuelled by social media and AI-generated content.
According to CDD’s Election Analysis Centre, it tracked over 200 online claims related to the election. Of these, 54 percent were false, 27 percent true, and 10 percent misleading. Many of the false claims targeted INEC, security agencies, and party candidates, often using doctored images and manipulated videos to misinform voters.
One viral post falsely claimed that INEC’s server had been hacked, while another alleged that soldiers were arresting opposition agents in Onitsha. Both turned out to be fabricated.
CDD warned that information disorder poses a growing threat to Nigeria’s democracy. “The weaponization of disinformation during elections can delegitimize credible outcomes and incite violence,” said Dr. Sa’eed Hussein, the centre’s digital democracy analyst. “INEC must invest in real-time communication strategies to debunk falsehoods before they spread.”
The commission’s spokesperson, Rotimi Oyekanmi, acknowledged the challenge, noting that “fake news has become one of the biggest threats to electoral credibility.” He said INEC was strengthening its social media monitoring unit and collaborating with fact-checking organisations to counter misinformation.
Security Success, But at What Cost?
Security agencies also earned commendation for maintaining peace throughout the exercise. There were no major incidents of violence, ballot snatching, or arson. This marks a sharp contrast with previous elections when armed gangs often disrupted voting in flashpoint areas like Nnewi South and Ogbaru.
However, analysts caution that the peaceful outcome was achieved through a massive security deployment that may not be sustainable. “We had more policemen than voters in some polling units,” joked a resident of Awka. “If every election requires 45,000 security operatives, then we are not solving the problem — we are masking it.”
CDD made a similar point in its report: “Nigeria cannot continue to treat elections as temporary security emergencies. There must be a shift towards year-round community safety and conflict prevention mechanisms.”
Experts say the heavy deployment model may not be feasible during nationwide polls, where over 176,000 polling units must be covered simultaneously. “We must begin to think of smarter, technology-driven policing,” said retired DIG Umar Abubakar, now a security consultant. “The goal should be deterrence, not militarisation.”
Institutional Credibility and the 2027 Test
Ultimately, the Anambra election was not just about who won, but about how the process was conducted. For INEC, it was an opportunity to rebuild public confidence after the controversies that followed the 2023 general elections, where issues with result transmission and voter logistics undermined trust in the commission.
By most accounts, INEC’s new leadership under Professor Joash Amupitan demonstrated resolve and innovation. The improved performance of the BVAS and IReV, as well as the timely collation of results, indicate that lessons were learned.
Yet, institutional credibility cannot be built on technology alone. The persistence of vote buying, low turnout, and disinformation shows that Nigeria’s electoral integrity is as much a social problem as it is administrative.
“The technology worked, the process improved, but democracy is more than machines,” said Dr. Idayat Hassan, former CDD director. “Until the political class is compelled to play by the rules, and until voters stop seeing elections as an opportunity for quick gain, credible elections will remain an illusion.”
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), in congratulating Soludo, called for deeper electoral reforms. In a statement signed by its chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, the forum said: “The Anambra election shows progress, but it also reveals the urgent need to criminalise vote trading, strengthen electoral law enforcement, and reform campaign financing.”
A Mirror to the Nation
In many ways, the Anambra governorship election mirrors Nigeria’s broader democratic paradox, visible progress coexisting with persistent decay. The BVAS worked, the IReV impressed, and the atmosphere was calm. Yet, the people’s faith in democracy remains shaken.
INEC has shown that it can conduct a credible election under optimal conditions. But 2027 will present a different challenge, a nationwide contest involving thousands of candidates, diverse terrains, and intense political competition. Whether the commission can replicate Anambra’s efficiency on a national scale remains to be seen.
For now, analysts agree that INEC deserves cautious praise, but not complacency. As one senior political editor put it: “Anambra was a dress rehearsal. The real examination comes in 2027.”
Progress with a Price
The 2025 Anambra election delivered important lessons. It showed that Nigeria’s electoral institutions can evolve and adapt. It also revealed the deep cracks in the system, where money, misinformation, and apathy continue to undermine the people’s will.
INEC’s digital reforms are commendable, but without political accountability and social reorientation, technology alone cannot fix Nigeria’s democracy. The road to 2027 is paved with both promise and peril.
As Nigeria approaches another general election cycle, the message from Anambra is clear: progress is possible, but it must be defended, deepened, and depoliticized.
