First-time Voter Confirms Receiving Money To Vote In Anambra Governorship Election

A 21-year-old first-time voter, Chinyere Aniwetalu, has confessed that she received payment to cast her vote at Nteje Ward 1, Amuda Village Square Polling Unit 12, during the Anambra governorship election on Saturday.

Chinyere, who spoke with journalists, confirmed receiving money but declined to disclose how much or the political party that paid her.

While expressing excitement about her participation in the election after years of waiting to reach voting age, Chinyere said, “I was paid to vote.” 

She explained that she was unable to vote in the 2023 general election because she did not have a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) at the time.

She said, “I just got my PVC this year, and I’m happy to use it today.” 

At the polling unit, most of the voting had been completed by midday, with several voters seen loitering around, waiting for the sorting of ballots.

INEC officials at the centre told journalists that the process began early, at about 8:00 a.m., and had been smooth so far, although they were still expecting more voters to turn up before the polls closed.

The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, remains a top contender for the governorship poll.