THE All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force to launch a thorough investigation into Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, over what it describes as a clear case of vote buying ahead of this Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
News Point Nigeria reports that the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, made the demand in an interview with journalists, accusing Governor Soludo, who is also the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate of offering financial inducements to voters under the guise of incentivizing electoral performance.
Soludo had stirred heated debate after a campaign rally in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area, on October 25, where he openly pledged cash rewards to wards that secure victory for APGA in the upcoming election.
During the rally, Soludo recalled a similar incentive structure used during the last senatorial elections, saying:
“Any ward that APGA won received ₦1 million, and we won all the wards in Orumba South. Next week, we will redeem that pledge.
“For November 8, any ward that wins again will receive ₦1 million, while the ward that comes first will get ₦5 million, the second ₦3 million, and the third ₦2 million.”
Bashiru described the remarks as an admission of financial inducement and a violation of electoral guidelines meant to ensure free and fair participation.
“Soludo’s desperation shows he has failed to inspire confidence through performance.
“If he has been in office for more than three years and cannot campaign on achievements, then he has lost his mandate and should be voted out,”
he said.
The APC chieftain insisted that the governor’s cash pledge threatens electoral integrity and urged the authorities to intervene urgently.
“INEC must investigate and issue a strong caution.
“The Police should probe APGA’s campaign finances to ensure compliance with the Electoral Act,” Bashiru added.
But responding, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
Mefor argued that the APC’s interpretation was a deliberate distortion of the governor’s comments.
“APC in Anambra is a pathetic opposition, no councillor, no local government chairman, no lawmaker.
Soludo has not promised money to those voting for him, but to registered voters across the state to encourage higher voter turnout,”
he stated.
The commissioner noted that Anambra has historically suffered from low voter participation, just 200,000 votes cast out of 2.7 million registered voters in the previous election.
He also claimed the governor’s performance has earned widespread community support, with residents voluntarily contributing funds to drive his re-election bid.