By ireti Asemota
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for allegedly promising cash rewards to supporters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) based on their performance in the forthcoming governorship election.
The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, made the appeal during a media interview, accusing the governor of attempting to influence voters through financial inducement instead of relying on his record in office.
Governor Soludo, who is also the APGA candidate in the November 8 election, stirred controversy after pledging monetary incentives at a campaign rally held in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area, on October 25.
At the rally, Soludo reportedly stated that wards delivering victory for APGA in the election would receive financial rewards.
He said:
“When we were campaigning for the Senate, we knew we would win every ward in the South Senatorial Zone, but we still introduced some incentives. Any ward that APGA won received ₦1 million, and we won all the wards in Orumba South.
We promised each of these wards ₦1 million, and next week, we will redeem it. The ward that comes first will get ₦5 million, the second ₦3 million, and the third ₦2 million. That was the deal. For November 8, any ward that wins again will receive ₦1 million, while the first three performing wards will get ₦5 million, ₦2 million, and ₦1 million respectively.”
Reacting, Bashiru described Soludo’s statement as “a reflection of desperation and lack of confidence,” claiming that the governor’s record in office has failed to inspire voter trust.
“If he has been in office for more than three years and cannot campaign on his performance or impact, it shows a lack of confidence and a need for change,” Bashiru said.
He further argued that Soludo’s cash pledge undermined electoral integrity, adding that INEC should issue a public warning and the Police should examine APGA’s campaign financing to ensure compliance with electoral laws.
State Government’s Response
In response, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, dismissed the APC’s allegations, describing the party as a “nonexistent opposition” in the state.
Speaking in a telephone interview, Mefor said the APC deliberately distorted the governor’s remarks, insisting that Soludo’s comments were aimed at encouraging voter participation, not buying votes.
“The APC in Anambra State is a pathetic opposition. It has no councillor, no local government chairman, and no member in either the House of Assembly or the National Assembly,” he said.
Mefor maintained that Soludo did not offer money in exchange for votes but sought to motivate all registered voters, regardless of political affiliation, to take part in the electoral process.
He explained that Soludo’s concern stemmed from the low voter turnout recorded in past elections, where only about 200,000 of 2.7 million registered voters participated.
“Governor Soludo has not paid anyone to vote for him. People are willing to support him because of his achievements. Communities across the state have voluntarily contributed funds to his re-election — something unprecedented in Anambra,” Mefor added.
