Soludo: ADC Thumbprinted Ballot Papers before Anambra by-Election

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has alleged that members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) thumbprinted ballot papers ahead of the last Anambra bye-election.

He made the remark in response to comments by former Osun State Governor and ADC National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, who said credible elections in Nigeria would remain elusive as long as those who benefit from electoral malpractices appoint the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Aregbesola made the statement in Abuja during the launch of the Election Observatory of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, themed “Innovation in Electoral Technology 2015–2025: Gains, Gaps and the Road Ahead.”

Reacting, Soludo cautioned politicians against speaking only when out of power or when the system does not favour them. “We should not only speak when we’re out and it didn’t favour us. In Anambra, it’s ADC that was thumbprinting ballot papers before the election,” he said.

The governor commended INEC for its improvements since 2019, scoring the commission 90 percent for its conduct in Anambra. He urged politicians to abandon the mindset that elections can only be won through manipulation.

Also speaking at the event, Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, stressed that electoral reforms would remain futile without the rule of law, accusing politicians of using security agencies to intimidate voters.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, represented by National Commissioner Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, said the commission is working with stakeholders to strengthen electoral reforms ahead of 2027.

Athena Centre Chancellor, Dr. Osita Chidoka, identified poor management of non-compliance as a major electoral challenge, while NOI Polls CEO, Dr. Chike Nwangwu, emphasized that with sustained commitment, Nigeria could make the 2027 general elections a continental benchmark for credible, tech-driven democracy.