ADC Warns: Anambra Election a Dress Rehearsal for 2027 Rigging

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the conduct of the Anambra 2025 governorship election, describing it as a cash-soaked affair and a potential dress rehearsal for rigging in the 2027 general elections.

In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC alleged widespread vote buying during the poll, claiming that money flowed freely across polling units while security agencies and electoral officials failed to intervene.

“What unfolded in Anambra was, regrettably, a cash-drenched spectacle that was more of a bazaar than an election. This undermines the very essence of democracy,” Abdullahi said.

The party stated that the election violated the Electoral Act, eroding public confidence in the process. It accused the incumbent governor and his party of participating in various forms of cash-for-votes, while voters were openly harassed and induced by financial incentives.

“Even more troubling was the apparent silence, and in some instances, visible inaction, of institutions mandated to enforce electoral integrity,” the statement read.

ADC warned that the lapses witnessed in Anambra could set a dangerous precedent for the 2027 general elections, raising concerns about the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy on the international stage.

Despite the criticism, the party reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles, integrity, and inclusive leadership, stating:

“The ADC remains committed to building a Nigeria where leadership is earned through integrity, inclusion, and service, not through the crude exchange of cash for votes.”