By Chuks Collins
Pan African Women Projects, a South African- based international observer group who was in Anambra State during the just concluded Nov 8, 2025 Governorship election has berated the process.
At a press conference held in Awka, Anambra State capital, the group described what they witnessed on Nov 8, 2025 as akin to “open buying and selling activities they had earlier experienced at Nkwo-Nnewi market on October 24, 2025 when they went for sensitization of market women ahead the election day”.
Addressing journalists on their observation findings during the weekend poll in the 21 Councils of Anambra State, head of the Foreign Observer Group, Bontle Matjila noted that Prof Charles Soludo wouldn’t have won but for massive vote buying that characterized the entire process.
She noted that the sleaze was not hidden for inexplicable reasons the law enforcement agents, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC and other available duty bearers failed to act. That these officials appallingly publicly chose to look away.
When asked whether they think the election outcome would have been different if the malaise of vote buying was tackled, she answered in the affirmative.
“Yes the widespread financial inducement by the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA made a lot of difference in the final outcome. It changed the whole outcome”.
The group noted that their Field Observers noted that “some polling units at the commencement of the election did not have some sensitive materials to display to party agents like result sheets.
“This and many more areas of concern made the election to be rated not transparent by international best practices..”
They however commended the electorates for peaceful conduct and disposition.
