Banner Online News

By Chukwudi Abiandu

Anambra’s governorship election may have come and gone, but the aftershocks are still rumbling. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, John Chuma Nwosu (JCN), has outrightly rejected the result of the poll, describing it as “a ruse and total subversion of the people’s will.”

In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday in Nnewi, Nwosu said what transpired on election day was nothing short of “a marketplace of votes, not a democratic exercise.” According to him, the election was marred by massive vote buying, with voters openly induced with cash ranging from ₦3,000 to ₦20,000 at polling units across the state.

“Let it be clear,” Nwosu declared, “true victory is judged not by the outcome but by the integrity of the process. An election riddled with corruption, manipulation, and vote trading cannot and will never represent the voice of the people. A shambolic election confers a shambolic mandate.”

In words that stung like a whip, the ADC flagbearer lamented that the conscience of Nigeria’s democracy had been “wounded beyond recognition.” He warned that when votes are bought, the future of the people is effectively sold.

“What we witnessed was not the expression of choice,” he said, “but the glaring triumph of desperation and greed over justice and fairness. This is a national embarrassment and a direct assault on the integrity of our democracy.”

Nwosu did not spare the institutions saddled with protecting the electoral process. He accused them of failing in their duty to safeguard the sanctity of the ballot, insisting that any system that cannot guarantee fairness “loses the moral right to declare winners.”

While thanking his supporters for standing firm “in the face of intimidation and inducement,” the ADC candidate said his campaign was never about power at all costs but about redefining governance and restoring integrity to public life in Anambra.

“Our mission was to build a new Anambra anchored on values, transparency, and the innovative use of technology,” he said. “This struggle continues. We will not surrender. We will not be silent.”

In a political landscape increasingly stained by cash-for-votes, Nwosu’s statement reads like both a lament and a battle cry — a reminder that democracy dies, not with the sound of guns, but with the rustle of naira notes exchanged under the table.

“Anambra deserves better,” he concluded, “and together, we will build it.”

Full text of Nwosu’s statement reads:

Nwosu rejects result of Anambra polls!!!

Says: A win bought with cash is a loss for democracy!

I, John Chuma Nwosu (JCN), the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), hereby categorically reject the outcome of the just-concluded gubernatorial election in Anambra State. What took place yesteday was a ruse and total subversion of the people’s will, marred by massive vote buying and shameless financial inducement at polling units across the state.  By every account, the people have not spoken. 

In almost every polling unit, voters were openly induced with cash ranging from ₦3,000 to ₦20,000, 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.

Let it be clear: True victory is judged not by the outcome but by the integrity of the process. An election riddled with corruption, manipulation, and vote trading cannot and will never represent the voice of the people.  Moreover, a shambolic election confers a shambolic mandate.  

The conscience of our democracy has been wounded. When votes are bought, the future is sold. What we witnessed was not the expression of choice, but the glaring triumph of desperation and greed over the principles of justice and fairness.

I strongly condemn the failure of relevant institutions to safeguard the sanctity of the ballot. When the system fails to uphold fairness, it loses the moral right to declare winners. This culture of electoral corruption must end if we truly desire a prosperous and just society.

To my  Party members , campaign team , volunteers, and every supporter of our movement — I say thank you. You stood firm in the face of intimidation and inducement. You chose honour over compromise, truth over deceit, and conviction over convenience. You are the true defenders of democracy.

Our mission has never been about winning at all costs; it was about redefining governance and building a new Anambra anchored on values, transparency, elimination of corruption, and a secure state driven by the innovative use of technology.

This struggle continues. We will not surrender. We will not be silent. Our movement will keep pressing until the people of Anambra can freely choose their leaders without fear or inducement.

Anambra deserves better — and together, we will build it.

Signed:

John Chuma Nwosu (JCN)

Governorship Candidate, African Democratic Congress (ADC)

Nnewi, Anambra State

9th November, 2025