By John Umeh
Governor’s Reward Promise Sparks Political Storm
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State has found himself at the center of a political firestorm after announcing a cash incentive for wards that deliver victories for his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in the forthcoming November 8 governorship election.
Speaking during the party’s campaign rally in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area, on Saturday, Soludo promised to give ₦1 million to each ward won by APGA, and additional prizes for the top three performing wards.
“When we were campaigning for the Senate, we gave ₦1 million to every ward that won, and this time, we will do it again,” Soludo declared to cheering supporters. “Any ward that wins will receive ₦1 million. The first, second, and third wards with the best results will get ₦5 million, ₦3 million, and ₦2 million respectively.”
However, what the governor described as a “motivational gesture” has drawn swift condemnation from opposition parties and civil society organisations, who argue that the promise constitutes vote-buying and a violation of electoral laws.
Opposition Parties: “It’s Vote-Buying, Pure and Simple”
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have all accused Governor Soludo of attempting to manipulate voters with public funds.
Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, APC’s National Vice Chairman (South-East), described the governor’s remarks as “an open confession of vote-buying.”
“Soludo’s comments are reckless and undemocratic,” Arodiogbu said. “He’s using the state’s resources to induce votes. We will petition INEC, EFCC, and the Police to investigate this abuse of office.”
The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, called on INEC to act decisively, saying, “When a sitting governor publicly promises cash rewards for electoral results, that’s no longer motivation — it’s inducement.”
The Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, was even more direct, accusing Soludo of “weaponising poverty to buy legitimacy.”
“This is not governance; it’s desperation,” Ifoh said. “Why promise money only when elections are near? It’s a way of turning elections into auctions. We will raise this issue at the next INEC stakeholders’ meeting.”
Similarly, Mike Ahumibe, a former PDP zonal official, described Soludo’s action as “dangerous for democracy.” He said, “Once money becomes the yardstick for political success, integrity and free choice are lost.”
Civil Society and Electoral Observers Condemn Move
Several civil society organisations have also reacted sharply, describing the governor’s comments as a threat to electoral integrity.
The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) criticised Soludo for “institutionalising vote-buying.”
Its Executive Director, Debo Adeniran, said, “A governor should lead by example. This statement effectively promotes an electoral crime. He can be held accountable once he’s out of office. INEC must not overlook this breach.”
Alhaji Yabagi Sani, a former National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, called Soludo’s promise “a dangerous precedent that commercialises democracy.”
“The money he’s promising is public money — taxpayers’ funds,” Sani argued. “Using it to influence election results is unethical and unlawful. INEC, EFCC, and the police should ask him to explain this statement formally.”
Similarly, YIAGA Africa, a well-known election monitoring organisation, described the governor’s remarks as “a sophisticated form of vote-buying.”
Jennifer Dafwat, YIAGA’s Media and Communications Officer, said, “Vote-buying goes beyond exchanging cash at polling units. It includes any pre-election incentive meant to sway voters. What Governor Soludo has done clearly falls into that category.”
She warned that such tactics exploit poverty and reduce elections to “transactions instead of contests of ideas.”
Government Dismisses Allegations
Reacting to the backlash, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, dismissed the allegations as “politically motivated mischief.”
He argued that the governor’s remarks were being misinterpreted by opponents seeking to discredit his administration.
“How does motivating party supporters amount to vote-buying?” Mefor asked. “Vote-buying means purchasing individual votes, but this is simply a promise to reward hardworking wards after the election.”
He added, “Leaders are allowed to motivate their teams. Extrinsic motivation, including financial rewards, is a normal part of politics everywhere. Opposition parties are deliberately twisting the governor’s words to score cheap points.”
INEC on Alert as Election Nears
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has pledged to ensure a credible election despite the rising tensions.
INEC officials revealed plans to deploy over 22,000 ad hoc staff across the 5,720 polling units in the state. Dr. Kenneth Ikeagu, INEC’s National Commissioner for Anambra, said that about 540 accredited journalists would cover the polls, with adequate supervision and security.
“The election will start at 8:30 a.m. and close at 2:30 p.m. Anyone on the queue within that time will be allowed to vote,” Ikeagu said.
However, the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection exercise has faced delays, with reports of slow processing and poor awareness in some areas. Civil groups have urged INEC to deploy more staff and intensify public sensitisation before the election date.
Analysts Warn of Deepening Electoral Monetisation
Political analysts say Soludo’s remarks reflect a deeper problem in Nigeria’s political culture — one where money and material incentives overshadow competence and accountability.
“The governor may defend it as a reward system, but the message to voters is that politics pays cash dividends,” said Dr. Nnaemeka Udeh, a political analyst based in Awka. “It blurs the line between encouragement and inducement, which weakens democratic values.”
As Anambra’s governorship election draws closer, the controversy surrounding Soludo’s remarks underscores the tension between motivation and manipulation — and the ongoing struggle to protect Nigeria’s democracy from the influence of money.
