Anambra Governorship Election: Umeh Attributes Soludo’s Victory to Voters Wisdom, Urges Election Petitioners to Reconsider
By Fatima Saka
Abuja, Nigeria – Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, has attributed Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s victory in the recent Anambra Governorship Election to the electorate’s discernment rather than monetary influence.
In an interactive session with newsmen on Monday in Abuja, Senator Umeh, a member of the Labour Party (LP), said voters had carefully assessed all candidates and concluded that Soludo was the most suitable choice.
“People have made up their minds that Soludo was the candidate they preferred. Any money received by voters was likely spent on trivial things like drinks, knowing they had already chosen their preferred candidate,” he explained.
Umeh emphasized the wisdom of Anambra voters, noting that while Soludo may have made mistakes, the electorate recognized his experience and compared him with other candidates before making their choice.
Advice to Election Petitioners
Addressing parties considering legal challenges, including the ADC, LP, and APC, Umeh cautioned that allegations of vote buying are unlikely to succeed in court without substantial evidence.
“From the reports I have read, the EFCC arrested three people over vote buying. There’s no tribunal that can prove that these three arrests influenced the outcome of the election. Anyone going to court on that basis is likely wasting their time,” he said.
He highlighted that successful election petitions require strong, localized evidence of malpractice, such as widespread coercion or bribery.
“Since Saturday, there have been no demonstrations or protests. The results came directly from the polling units, and that should be the end of it,” he concluded.
Umeh Commends INEC for Transparent Poll
Senator Umeh lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its improved performance during the Anambra Governorship Election, describing the process as “a remarkable improvement from previous polls.”
The senator praised the real-time transmission of results to the IReV portal, stating that by midnight, 97 percent of polling unit results had been uploaded, a development he described as “unprecedented transparency.”
“When I checked the IReV portal, I saw that all results had been uploaded across wards and local governments. This shows INEC’s commitment to credible elections,” Umeh said.
Efficient Voting Process
He praised the smooth conduct of the election, noting that accreditation and voting took less than three minutes. According to Umeh, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) worked seamlessly, resulting in minimal complaints across polling units.
“For the first time, I did not receive any distress calls about malfunctioning BVAS or irregularities. The process was smooth, transparent, and credible. I score INEC high for this improvement,” he said.
Concerns Over Vote Buying
While commending INEC, Umeh raised concerns about the lack of privacy at some polling booths and the persistence of vote buying, describing it as a shameful practice that undermines electoral integrity.
“I did not personally witness vote buying, but I will not dismiss the reports. It is obvious that some people were desperate to secure votes. If the police had been vigilant, such activities could have been curbed. Vote buying is a clear sign of poverty and desperation,” he said.
He condemned voters allegedly selling their votes for as little as ₦10,000 to ₦15,000, calling it “poor judgment” that mortgages their right to good governance.
“₦15,000 cannot sustain a family for 24 hours. Selling your vote for such an amount means you’ve sold your right to complain about bad governance for four years. It’s a dangerous culture that must be stopped,” he cautioned.
INEC’s Transparency Praised
Umeh highlighted the real-time transmission of results to the IReV portal, noting that by midnight, 97 percent of polling unit results had been uploaded—a development he described as “unprecedented transparency.”
“When I checked the IReV portal, I saw that all results had been uploaded across wards and local governments. This shows INEC’s commitment to credible elections,” he said.
Political Insights and Future Guidance
Commenting on the election outcome, Umeh said he was not surprised that the incumbent governor won, citing APGA’s dominance and strong political structure over the past two decades. He also emphasized the importance of zoning in Anambra politics, noting that the principle promotes equity and stability.
On political desperation, Umeh urged politicians to focus on service delivery rather than attempting to buy votes.
“Those desperate to buy votes should understand that good governance sells better than money. When leaders perform well, people naturally support them,” he said.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Umeh challenged INEC’s new chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan SAN to uphold the rule of law and resist political interference.
“Professor Amupitan must ensure that INEC stands firm against fraudulent court orders and follows Supreme Court decisions strictly. The commission must not allow politicians to manipulate it through legal loopholes,” he added.
Call for Integrity in Leadership
Senator Umeh concluded by urging Nigerian youths to embrace integrity and service in politics, stressing that genuine leadership and transparency are the foundation of sustainable democracy.
INEC Declares Soludo Winner of Anambra Governorship Election, APGA Retains Grip on State Politics
“If you perform well in governance, you won’t need to bribe anyone to win elections. Nigerians appreciate good leadership when they see it,” he affirmed.
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