The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has uploaded the governorship election results of eight out of the 21 local government areas in Anambra on its Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

The LGAs are Onitsha North LGA, with 313 polling units; Awka South LGA, 390; Orumba South, 208; Idemili North, 467; Ihiala LGA, 323; Ekwusigo, 193; Anambra East, 241; and Ogbaru LGA, 383.

A total of 16 candidates participated in the election, with six seen as major contenders.

They are the incumbent Governor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC); George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP); and John Chuma-Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Vote-buying was reported across various polling units by observers and politicians, including Messrs Soludo and Ukachukwu.

Also, Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, had also expressed a similar sentiment, alleging irregularities in the election.

“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,” Mr Obi said.