Civil society group hails smooth electoral process, describes outcome as “a victory for democracy” while condemning vote-buying…..
The Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM) has congratulated Charles Chukwuma Soludo, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), on his victory in the November 8, 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election, describing the outcome as “a victory for democracy and the will of the people.”
In a statement signed on Sunday by its Executive Director, Nelson Ekujumi, the organization commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what it described as the “excellent and credible conduct” of the election across Anambra’s 21 local government areas.
“The outcome of the election is a testimonial to the will of the people as freely expressed at the polls. It is a victory for democracy, and we find it commendable,” Ekujumi stated.
Commends INEC’s Efficiency
The group praised INEC for the timely deployment of materials and personnel, noting that reports from its observers and media monitoring indicated that INEC officials arrived at over 98% of polling units by 7:30 a.m., well ahead of the official commencement time of 8:30 a.m.
“Our analysis showed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) functioned effectively in over 98% of polling units, contributing significantly to the smooth conduct of the election,” CPPM added.
Ekujumi described the electoral body’s performance as “excellent,” saying it reflected improved planning and execution by INEC.
Applauds Voters, Security Agencies, and Observers
The CPPM commended the people of Anambra State for turning out peacefully to exercise their franchise, maintaining order and calm throughout the voting and collation process.
It also lauded the security agencies for providing watertight security before, during, and after the election, ensuring that “agents of disruption” were kept at bay and voters were encouraged to participate freely.
Political party agents, local and international observers, and media organizations were also praised for their professionalism, impartiality, and commitment to a transparent process.
“The diligence and neutrality displayed by observers and the media contributed in no small measure to the success of the election,” the statement noted.
Condemns Vote-Buying
However, the group expressed concern over reports of vote-buying and selling during the election, describing it as a “national embarrassment” that undermines Nigeria’s democratic values.
“While the isolated cases of vote trading are regrettable and condemnable, they are not sufficient to undermine the overall credibility of the process,” CPPM emphasized.
Calls for Unity and Statesmanship
The organization urged Governor Soludo to be magnanimous in victory, extending a hand of fellowship to his opponents in the spirit of democratic leadership.
It also appealed to other contestants to accept the outcome in good faith and join hands in advancing the development of Anambra State.
“We call on all stakeholders to work together to deepen our democracy and uphold the sanctity of the people’s mandate,” the statement concluded.
The November 8, 2025 governorship election saw Soludo of APGA win in all 21 local government areas of the state, securing a second term in office after polling 422,664 votes, far ahead of his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the APC, who scored 99,445 votes.
About the Author
