Anambra Decides 2025: I witnessed cash-for-votes, neglect of PWDs -student observer

As I hopped down from the motorcycle for the last time that day at 8:53 pm on November 8, 2025, I was met with heart-wrenching news from two collation officers: the results had not been brought to the INEC Office in Achalla LGA headquarters, Awka North. Unbeknownst to me, they gave me false information to prevent me, as a media person, from gaining entrance to the collation office. Witnessing and reporting the collation was my last assignment for the Anambra State gubernatorial election 2025.

Before election day, the journey into Awka North Local Government Area, where I was posted, was the first test. Sandy, broken roads, and deep potholes turned what should have been a simple trip into an exhausting challenge. At one point, the motorcycle I rode nearly threw me off into a ditch. However, physical discomfort was only the beginning, as the real test was observing Nigeria’s electoral process firsthand.

My background and preparation

I am Abigail Mbah, a recent graduate of the Mass Communication department at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. In the past, I have been engaged as a student reporter under the UDEME project of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID). I have reported for media outlets, including Anambra Broadcasting Services (ABS) in Awka, Odogwublog, Made In Africa Sports (MIAS), and Crispng.com media. I heard about the election observation opportunity during the Campus Journalists training, organised by CJID in partnership with the Norwegian Embassy as part of their Campus Reporters project in September 2025. 

I prepared myself for the election based on my experience and was given a lifting hand during CJID’s two-day training, where Anambra election observers were equipped with essential legal, ethical, and practical knowledge to ensure credible election reporting. 

From understanding Nigeria’s electoral laws to using smartphones for multimedia documentation, participants gained hands-on skills for effective observation. Facilitators emphasised impartiality, safety, and truth-telling, reminding observers of their duty to report without interference or bias. With insights from INEC and the police, the training strengthened my preparedness to uphold transparency, safety, and professionalism throughout the election process.

The electoral process: vote-buying and neglect of PWDs

From early in the day on November 8, vote-buying was visibly rampant. Party agents casually approached voters with money, offering between ₦5,000 and ₦10,000 for votes. It felt normalised, as though integrity had no place in the system. Logistics were no better. In many polling units, officials lacked clear coordination, and security personnel were either too few or absent. In the middle of this dysfunction, one couldn’t help but ask: When will this cycle end?

The rampant vote-buying was well-reported in the media.

At Iruete, two deaf girls were turned back with no provision for assistance, even though they were eager to cast their votes. It was a glaring example of how the system continues to fail people with disabilities. 

However, amidst this despair, moments of resistance offered flickers of hope. In Achalla Ward 1, Polling Unit 004, a Presiding Officer stood firm under pressure, stating, “This isn’t a marketplace,” when an elderly woman was caught showing APGA agents her ballot paper for confirmation and payment. 

This act by the Presiding Officer not only upheld the integrity of the electoral process but also served as a beacon of hope for voters who still believed in the system. 

In another polling unit, a young voter declined a ₦5,000 bribe, saying, “I’ll vote my conscience.” These simple acts showed that not everyone had surrendered to the norm and that there were still individuals who valued the sanctity of the vote.

Collation process

At the INEC office, collation officials at the Achalla LGA headquarters claimed, “Results aren’t being collated here,” and pointed observers toward a distant primary school field in Egede, where only the results from Achalla wards were collated before being moved to the LGA. 

After several attempts, I got the wind of the office where the collation was ongoing, but was denied entrance by the security personnel in front of the office. After much persuasion from me, I was finally granted access after being vetted by the security team. The results were announced after the collation by 11:17 pm.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my experience observing the Anambra State gubernatorial election was a sobering reminder of the challenges that still plague our electoral process. The prevalence of vote-buying, neglect of people with disabilities, and lack of transparency in the collation process are issues that require urgent attention. 

However, amidst these challenges, the moments of hope I witnessed, the Presiding Officer’s courage and the young voter’s integrity serve as a reminder that change is possible. To build a system that works, we must prioritise accountability, transparency, and inclusivity. These observations, real, raw, and honest, are steps toward creating a better future for our democracy.