Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has sparked widespread criticism following his announcement of a N1 million cash reward for every ward that secures victory for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the forthcoming November 8 governorship election.
Speaking during a campaign rally in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area, on Saturday, the governor said the incentive was meant to appreciate party loyalists who work hard to ensure APGA’s success across the state.
“We are not buying votes; we are rewarding loyalty and grassroots commitment,” Soludo declared to a cheering crowd.
“Any ward that wins for APGA will get N1 million, while the best-performing wards will receive N5 million, N2 million, and N1 million, respectively.”
The governor recalled that a similar initiative was introduced during past elections in the Anambra South Senatorial Zone, promising to redeem those earlier pledges soon.
However, his remarks have ignited a barrage of condemnation from opposition parties and civil society organisations, who view the governor’s promise as a veiled form of vote-buying and a violation of electoral laws.
The National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-East, Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, criticised the move, calling it “a direct attempt to monetise democracy.”
“Governor Soludo’s statement is troubling. No public official should dangle cash rewards tied to electoral performance, it erodes public trust,” Arodiogbu said.
Also reacting, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the governor’s comments.
“This is a public confession of inducement, not motivation. INEC must not turn a blind eye,” Abdullahi warned.
The Labour Party (LP) also faulted Soludo’s pledge, alleging that the governor was exploiting economic hardship to influence the electorate.
“This is not empowerment; it’s manipulation wrapped in cash. We’ll raise this matter with INEC at the next stakeholders’ meeting,” the party said in a statement.
INEC data shows that over 2.8 million registered voters are expected to participate in the November 8 election, which will feature 16 political parties vying for the governorship seat.
While Soludo’s supporters insist the cash offer is a legitimate party incentive, critics argue that it sends a dangerous message about the role of money in Nigerian elections.
As the campaign season heats up, AFRIPOST reports that the controversy could become a major test of INEC’s enforcement powers and the integrity of Anambra’s democratic process.