In what may go down as one of the most quietly significant moves in this election cycle, President Bola Tinubu and his ruling APC chose not to lean into the November 8 Anambra governorship election — and by doing so, potentially saved INEC’s credibility.
Here’s what actually went down — and why Tinubu’s hands-off approach matters.
Neutrality at Work — For Once
INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, came into the election carrying a big promise: credible elections so polished that even losers would turn up and congratulate winners. Many Nigerians bristled at the idea — it sounded too good, too naive. But when the votes were counted in Anambra, Amupitan’s INEC delivered.
Observers — local and international — praised the commission for logistical discipline, tech deployment, and calm collation. Civil society groups lauded the early arrival of polling materials, the prompt start of voting, and real-time uploading of results — key indicators of transparency.
Tinubu’s Quiet Strategy: Let INEC Do the Heavy Lifting
What made this possible isn’t just Amupitan’s leadership. A major factor: the federal government stayed neutral. Unlike in past off-cycle governorship elections where governors from the ruling party stormed into other states to influence outcomes, this time there was no visible pressure from Tinubu or APC bigwigs on INEC.
That absence of interference created breathing space for INEC to operate. Soludo, the APGA candidate who won, explicitly thanked President Tinubu for allowing a level playing field. After being declared governor, Soludo said this was “the best election INEC has organised in Anambra so far.”
The Lagos State chapter of the APC even issued a formal commendation, calling Tinubu “the most credible defender of Nigeria’s democracy” for refusing to meddle.
But It Wasn’t Perfect: Vote-Buying Allegations and Real Friction
While INEC’s logistics won high praise, vote-buying allegations still hovered over the election. Reports claimed payments of N20,000 to N30,000 per vote. Soludo even quipped that his opponents could pay N100,000 per vote and he would still win.
Civil society groups pushed back. SERAP demanded that INEC refer vote-buying cases for anti-corruption investigations, stating that such practices “make a mockery” of Nigeria’s democracy.
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, while commending INEC, confirmed there were about 35 incidents of violence, including intimidation and ballot box snatching. The election wasn’t spotless — but INEC stayed largely in control.
Why This Matters
1. INEC passed a major test
Amupitan’s pledge paid off. Turnout improved, BVAS functioned effectively, and results were uploaded early. Many groups called it a demonstration of INEC’s growing capacity.
2. Tinubu’s neutrality wasn’t accidental
By staying out of the process, he avoided the usual allegations of using federal influence to tilt results. This hands-off stance boosted legitimacy.
3. Trust in institutions may be slowly recovering
With transparency and reduced interference, voters may start believing their votes matter again — a crucial boost for Nigeria’s fragile democratic credibility.
What’s Next
The big question now: Will Tinubu maintain this same neutrality in Ekiti, Osun, and other upcoming elections? Anambra might not be the ultimate test — just the first.
Meanwhile, vote-buying remains the dark cloud that didn’t move. Observers acknowledged it; civil society called it out. The fight against it is far from over.
INEC’s challenge now is sustainability. One successful off-cycle election doesn’t make a pattern. Amupitan’s performance must become the standard, not the anomaly.
Bottom line: Tinubu stayed off the pitch. INEC played a cleaner game. The result? A credible Anambra election — and a potential blueprint for doing Nigerian democracy right.