Soludo’s Cash-for-Votes Promise Sparks National Uproar Ahead of Anambra Governorship Election
Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s recent pledge to reward wards with cash incentives for electoral victories has ignited widespread controversy, as Akahi News gathered from multiple reports. Speaking at a campaign rally in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area, the Anambra governor promised ₦1 million to any ward won by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the forthcoming November 8 governorship election, with top-performing wards earning up to ₦5 million.
Opposition Parties Condemn Soludo’s Remarks
The announcement immediately drew condemnation from opposition parties, who described the move as “vote-buying in disguise.” According to Akahi News findings, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) all accused the governor of attempting to “commercialise democracy” and manipulate the will of the people through monetary inducement.
Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, APC’s National Vice Chairman (South-East), said Soludo’s action “clearly amounts to vote-buying and abuse of office,” while LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, alleged that the governor was “weaponising poverty to influence voters.” Civil society groups, including YIAGA Africa and the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), also weighed in, describing the pledge as “dangerous” and “an affront to Nigeria’s democratic principles.”
Civil Society and INEC Under Pressure
Rights activist Debo Adeniran told Akahi News that Soludo’s pledge “institutionalises electoral corruption” and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate. Similarly, former Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Chairman, Alhaji Yabagi Sani, warned that such remarks could “set a bad precedent” and erode public confidence in the electoral process.
INEC’s new chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, is under increasing pressure to ensure fairness in the upcoming election, which involves over 2.8 million registered voters and 16 political parties.
Anambra Government Defends Soludo
However, Anambra’s Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, dismissed the allegations, insisting that the governor’s statement was merely “a motivational gesture, not vote-buying.” Mefor said, “There is nothing wrong with motivating supporters; it is not the same as purchasing votes.”
INEC Deploys 22,000 Ad Hoc Staff as PVC Collection Slows
Meanwhile, Akahi News reports that INEC has announced plans to deploy about 22,800 ad hoc staff and 540 accredited journalists to monitor the election across 5,720 polling units in Anambra State. However, the ongoing Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection exercise has suffered setbacks, with reports of low turnout and slow processing in several wards.
Political analysts warn that the combination of alleged vote inducement and administrative bottlenecks could undermine public trust in the process.
A Test of Integrity for Nigeria’s Electoral System
Observers note that the controversy surrounding Soludo’s cash promise comes at a time when Nigeria’s electoral credibility is under intense scrutiny. Analysts told Akahi News that how INEC and anti-corruption agencies handle the matter could either strengthen or weaken the fight against vote-buying in future elections.
Thanks. By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
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