Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has cast his vote in the ongoing Anambra governorship election, urging Nigerians to reject vote buying and protect the nation’s democracy.
Obi voted on Saturday at Polling Unit 019, Umudim Akasi Agulu 2, Ward 8, in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, located in southeastern Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists after voting, the former governor expressed disappointment over the widespread practice of vote buying during the exercise.
“Unfortunately, those who are victims of bad governance seem to be the ones fueling it,” he said. “I have moved around and seen that vote buying is happening on a large scale — ₦30,000, ₦20,000, ₦15,000. The question is, when an unemployed young person sells his vote for ₦30,000, what happens next month when there’s no election?”
Obi warned that citizens who trade their votes for money are also trading away vital public services. “By selling your vote, you’re selling away your schools, hospitals, jobs, and your future. It’s very worrisome,” he added, calling on journalists and election observers to help stop the trend.
Okay News reports that when asked about his party’s candidate, George Moghalu of the Labour Party, Obi chose to remain neutral, explaining that his focus is now on national leadership.
“For me, yes, I am a member of the Labour Party and I support our candidate. But everyone contesting in this election are my brothers and sisters. I am not on the ballot; I’ve been a governor 13 years ago. I am now contesting at the national level,” he said.
Obi also urged political leaders to focus on service delivery and human development, emphasizing the need for investments in healthcare, education, and nursing schools. “Whoever wins should serve the people. Nigeria needs service now. We must pull our citizens out of poverty,” he said.
Across the state, other candidates also raised concerns over vote buying and voter intimidation. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed that 2.8 million registered voters are expected to participate across 5,718 polling units, with 16 candidates contesting in the election, including incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Voting remained largely peaceful, though minor technical issues were reported in some areas.
