Peter Obi Votes In Anambra Election, Condemns Vote Buying

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has voted in the ongoing Anambra governorship election.

Peter Obi, who was a formal Anambra governor, cast his ballot on Saturday at Polling Unit 019, Umudim Akasi Agulu 2, Ward 8, joining residents to exercise their civic duty.

After voting, the former governor spoke to journalists, condemning vote buying as widespread in the election.

“Unfortunately, those who are the victims of bad governance seem to be the ones fuelling it. I have moved around, listened, and observed what’s happening. What you see predominantly is vote buying, on a scale of ₦30,000, ₦20,000, ₦15,000.

“The question I ask is this: a young person who is unemployed, if he sells his vote for ₦30,000, what will he be paid next month when there’s no election?” he said.

Obi questioned the long-term consequences for young, unemployed voters who exchange their votes for cash, warning that, “By selling your vote, you’re selling away your schools, your hospitals, your jobs; you’re selling away your future. That is what is very worrisome.”

He urged journalists and citizens to help stop the practice, noting that such widespread vote buying is rare even in neighboring West African countries.

“I”n other countries, even in West African nations close to us, where I’ve observed elections, I didn’t see such practices. So, for journalists, you must cooperate; this must be stopped,” Obi said.

Speaking on Labour Party’s governorship candidate, George Moghalu, Obi remained neutral, saying his focus is on national issues rather than state-level politics.

“For me, yes, I am a member of the Labour Party and I support our candidate. But quite frankly, everyone involved in this election are my brothers and sisters.

“I’m not on the ballot; I’ve been a governor 13 years ago. I’m now strictly in the ‘Champions League’ of Nigerian politics, contesting to be President of Nigeria,” he said.

Obi also called on leaders to prioritise service delivery, particularly in healthcare and education.

“For those contesting today, I wish them well. Whoever wins should serve the people. Nigeria needs service now. We must pull our people out of poverty. Our people need to know that it’s no longer about grandstanding.

“We must build hospitals, which is why we’re supporting nursing schools, to produce the manpower required for every village to have at least a primary healthcare centre where people can go for treatment,” he said.

KanyiDaily recalls that Governor Charles Soludo predicted a “landslide” victory for APGA in the ongoing Anambra governorship election.