The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has denounced the conduct of Anambra’s 2025 governorship election. The party stated that widespread vote-buying and institutional failures during the polls endanger Nigeria’s democracy. ADC warned this sets a dangerous precedent for the 2027 general elections.

This condemnation follows President Bola Tinubu’s congratulatory message to Governor Chukwuma Soludo. Tinubu praised the election as credible. He called Soludo’s victory proof of visionary leadership.

ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi issued a counter-statement. He described the election as a “cash-drenched spectacle”. Abdullahi claimed the process resembled a marketplace rather than a democratic exercise.

“What occurred in Anambra was effectively a bazaar. Votes were openly traded,” Abdullahi stated. “This fundamentally undermines democratic principles.”

The party specifically accused the incumbent administration of electoral monetization. “This election was heavily commercialized. The incumbent party participated in cash-for-votes schemes,” the ADC asserted.

Abdullahi reported naira bundles exchanged openly at polling units. He called this a blatant Electoral Act violation. The ADC also criticized security agencies and electoral officials.

“Security operatives ignored voter harassment. Electoral officials failed basic standards,” Abdullahi noted. “Their inaction enabled compromise.”

The party warned that similar conduct in 2027 would damage Nigeria’s democracy. Abdullahi emphasized global scrutiny of Nigeria’s electoral processes. He expressed concern about international perceptions.

Official Election Outcome

Sixteen candidates contested the Anambra election. INEC accredited 598,229 voters from 2,788,884 registrations. Total valid votes stood at 595,298 with 11,244 rejected ballots.

President Tinubu commended voters, security agencies, and INEC post-results. He described the process as peaceful and credible. Tinubu praised Soludo’s governance approach in Anambra.

The President urged Soludo to embrace magnanimity in victory. Tinubu pledged enhanced federal cooperation with Anambra. He promised development support for Southeast Nigeria.