John Nwosu, African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate in Anambra governorship election, has dismissed the results announced by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), calling it a national embarrassment.
Gatekeepers News reports that INEC had on Sunday declared Charles Soludo the winner with 422,664 votes, while All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, came second with 99,445 votes. Nwosu finished fifth, polling 8,208 votes.
In a statement issued after the declaration, Nwosu denounced the process as a ruse and total subversion of the people’s will, claiming that the electorate was deprived of a genuine opportunity to choose their leader.
The ADC candidate alleged that the election was marred by large-scale vote buying and financial inducement across several polling units.
He said, “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.”
Nwosu said true victory is judged not by the outcome but by the integrity of the process, stressing that an election plagued by corruption and manipulation could never reflect the people’s voice.
He urged Nigerians to confront what he termed the culture of electoral corruption if the nation truly wished to build a just and progressive society. According to him, the conscience of our democracy had been wounded, warning that when votes are purchased, the future is sold.
Nwosu also appreciated members of his party and campaign team for their resilience and commitment despite facing intimidation and inducement during the election.
