By Sodiq Adelakun
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately hand over all individuals involved in vote-buying during the Anambra governorship election to relevant anti-graft agencies for investigation and prosecution.
In a letter dated November 8, 2025, and signed by the organisation’s Deputy Director, Mr. Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP accused political agents of openly inducing voters with cash ranging between ₦2,000 and ₦10,000 at several polling stations across the state.
“The recurring cases of vote buying and undue influence make a mockery of Nigeria’s electoral process and participatory democracy,” the group stated.
SERAP noted that its field observations showed that vote buying reportedly occurred in the presence of election and security officials, with little or no intervention.
The organisation specifically cited the incident at Igboukwu Ward 2, Central School PU 017, where party agents were allegedly seen handing out ₦5,000 to voters in full view of security personnel.
“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,” the statement added.
The group, therefore, urged INEC to forward all gathered evidence to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police Force for prompt investigation and prosecution.
SERAP emphasised that tackling electoral corruption was critical to restoring public trust and strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
