Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has cast his vote in the ongoing Anambra governorship election, voting at Polling Unit 019, Umudim Akasi Agulu 2, Ward 8, on Saturday.
Speaking to journalists after voting, Obi expressed concern about widespread electoral malpractice, stating: “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.”
He condemned the practice, asking rhetorically: “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?”
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The former governor warned that voters who “sell their conscience risk losing vital public services.”
He said: “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. In 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.”
When asked about his party’s governorship candidate, George Moghalu (Labour Party), Obi maintained a “neutral stance,” noting that his focus was on national issues rather than state politics.
He stated: “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.”
He emphasized his current political focus: “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 urged leaders to “prioritise service delivery,” calling for investment in healthcare, education, and nursing schools.
He concluded: “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.”
He specified the need for investment: “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.”
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