Anambra election: Hand over vote‑buyers to EFCC, ICPC for prosecution – SERAP tells INEC
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to had over vote-buyers during the Anambra governorship election to anti-graft agencies for investigation and prosecution.
In a letter dated November 8, 2025 and signed by SERAP made the call in a letter dated 8 November 2025 and signed by the organisation’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
This was contained in a letter dated November 8, 2025 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
The organization said the Anambra election witnessed widespread incidents of cash exchange and inducement across multiple polling units.
“The recurring cases of vote buying and undue influence make a mockery of Nigeria’s electoral process and participatory democracy,” SERAP wrote.
According to the group, it expected immediate referral of alleged offenders to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the police.
“Unless the legacy of impunity for these grave electoral offences is combated and perpetrators effectively prosecuted, those contemplating vote buying will feel unconstrained in future elections,” it stated.
The rights organization further stated that vote buying reportedly took place in the full view of election officials, with agents allegedly offering amounts ranging from N2,000 to N10,000 depending on the polling unit.
“At Igboukwu Ward 2, Central School PU 017, party agents were reportedly seen distributing N5,000 to voters openly, without any response or deterrent from security personnel,” the organisation said.
