Mr. John Chuma Nwosu (JCN), the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate in the 8 November governorship election in Anambra State, has rejected the outcome of the poll, describing it as a “ruse and total subversion of the people’s will.”
In a statement issued after the exercise, Nwosu alleged that the election was marred by widespread vote buying and financial inducement at polling units across the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Professor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) the winner of the election with 422,664 votes. Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came second with 99,445 votes, while Nwosu of the ADC secured 8,208 votes.
According to Nwosu, “In almost every polling unit, voters were openly induced with cash ranging from N3,000 to N20,000, turning the entire process into a marketplace rather than a democratic exercise.
“This is a national embarrassment and a direct assault on the integrity of our democracy. It was a win bought with cash and a loss for democracy.”
He stated that true victory is determined by the integrity of the process, not merely by the results, stressing that “an election riddled with corruption, manipulation, and vote trading can never represent the voice of the people.”
Nwosu condemned the failure of relevant institutions to protect the sanctity of the ballot, noting that the system had lost its moral right to declare winners.
He called for an end to electoral corruption, warning that “when votes are bought, the future is sold.”
“What we witnessed was not an expression of choice, but the triumph of desperation and greed over justice and fairness,” he said.
Nwosu, however, expressed appreciation to members of his party and campaign team for their commitment, integrity, and courage to stand firm in the face of intimidation and inducement, choosing “the path of honour, truth, and conviction over convenience.”
