Labour Party’s George Moghalu condemns vote buying in Anambra election, urging INEC to ensure credibility and restore voters’ confidence in the process.
Labour Party’s governorship candidate in Anambra State, Dr George Moghalu, has strongly condemned vote buying in the ongoing governorship election, describing the practice as a major threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
He said the issue of vote buying had eroded public confidence in the electoral process and continued to weaponize poverty against the people.
Speaking after casting his ballot at Uruagu Ward 1, Nnewi, Moghalu expressed concern that the integrity of elections in the state was once again being undermined by financial inducement and voter manipulation.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take decisive action to ensure that the polls remained credible, transparent, and free from the influence of money.
According to him, although there was visible improvement in logistics and voter management compared to previous elections, the presence of vote buying remained a critical stain on the exercise.
“There’s an improvement in terms of process and logistics, but I cannot describe the election as free and fair. Once you monetise the process, you weaponise poverty, and there’s nothing democratic about that,” Moghalu lamented.
Moghalu decried the poor voter turnout across Anambra State, linking it to widespread apathy and a growing loss of trust in Nigeria’s electoral institutions.
He said many eligible voters chose to stay home because they had lost faith that their votes would count.
“It’s evident that people are losing confidence in the system. When citizens no longer believe in the power of their vote, democracy becomes fragile,” he stated.
The Labour Party candidate stressed that INEC must continue to improve its operations, strengthen technology deployment, and demonstrate neutrality to restore voter confidence.
He called on the electoral body to work tirelessly toward building a system where elections reflect the genuine will of the people, not the influence of wealth or power.
While acknowledging that the voting process appeared smoother than in past elections, Moghalu said it was too early to make conclusive remarks about the overall fairness of the poll.
He noted that initial reports showed fewer technical glitches, but the real test of credibility would depend on how votes were collated and announced.
“So far, we’ve not heard of major disruptions or technical issues. But it’s still early to conclude whether the process is free and fair. As we monitor more polling stations, we’ll get a clearer picture,” he said.
He praised security officials for maintaining order in Nnewi and surrounding areas but urged them to remain impartial throughout the process.
According to him, elections must be peaceful but also transparent, since peace without fairness only breeds resentment.
Moghalu identified vote buying as a deep-rooted problem that demands both institutional reform and public reorientation.
He noted that many Nigerians still view election days as opportunities for personal gain rather than civic duty. This mentality, he said, undermines the true purpose of democracy and sustains a cycle of corruption.
“Politics should be about service, not profit,” he emphasized. “Unfortunately, many people now see elections as opportunities to collect money rather than to decide their future. Until that mindset changes, democracy will remain vulnerable.”
He called on civil society organizations, the media, and faith-based groups to intensify voter education campaigns. According to him, a more enlightened electorate will be less susceptible to the temptation of vote buying and more likely to demand accountability from leaders.
Reflecting on the day’s exercise, Moghalu said the process at his polling unit was relatively smooth, with INEC officials arriving on time and the voting atmosphere remaining calm.
However, he insisted that credible elections go beyond logistics — they must be founded on integrity, transparency, and fairness.
He added that Nigeria’s democracy could only grow stronger when the people trust the system and actively participate in it.
“Democracy thrives on trust. Once people lose faith in elections, the system collapses. We must all work together to rebuild that confidence,” Moghalu urged.
He called for stronger enforcement of electoral laws, the prosecution of offenders involved in vote buying, and the institutionalization of measures that make electoral fraud nearly impossible.
According to him, both political leaders and citizens share responsibility for protecting the sanctity of the ballot.
As the election progressed across Anambra State, Moghalu’s remarks resonated with calls from observers and civil society groups for cleaner, more credible polls.
His insistence on ending vote buying highlights a persistent challenge facing Nigeria’s democracy — the need to free elections from the influence of money and restore true representation of the people’s will.
He concluded with an appeal for all stakeholders to embrace integrity in politics. “Our democracy must not be for sale. We owe it to the next generation to protect the sanctity of the vote. Every act of vote buying is an attack on our collective future,” Moghalu declared.
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