Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has ignited a major political controversy following his promise of cash rewards for wards won by his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in the forthcoming November 8th governorship election.
The Pledge and The Controversy
- The Pledge: Speaking at a campaign rally in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area, Governor Soludo promised to give N1 million to every ward that APGA wins in the election. He further announced that the three best-performing wards would receive N5 million, N2 million, and N1 million, respectively, stating that this was a continuation of an incentive used in previous senatorial elections.
- The Controversy/Criticism: The pledge provoked severe backlash from opposition parties (including the APC, ADC, and Labour Party) and civil society organisations, which collectively described the act as open inducement, vote-buying, and a gross violation of the Electoral Act. Critics accused the Governor of weaponising poverty, commercialising the electoral process, and undermining democracy by using public funds to sway voters’ choices.
- The Context: The pledge was made during an APGA campaign rally ahead of the November 8th governorship election, in which 16 political parties are contesting the seat. The Governor’s office, however, dismissed the accusations, claiming the promise was merely an act of motivation to energise party supporters and did not constitute actual vote-buying.
