The Anambra State Governor, Governor Soludo has come under serious fire following his announcement of a cash reward for every ward won by his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in the forthcoming November 8 governorship election in the state.
During the party’s Saturday campaign rally in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area, governor Soludo pledged to pay his supporters N1 million for each ward.
“When we were campaigning for the Senate, we knew we were going to win every ward in the South Senatorial Zone, but we still had some incentives. Any ward that APGA won received N1 million, and we won all the wards in Orumba South.
“We promised each of these wards N1 million, and next week, we will redeem it.
“For November 8, any ward that wins again will receive N1 million, while the first three performing wards will get N5 million, N2 million, and N1 million respectively,” he said.
Opposition parties and civil society organisations have reacted negatively to the offer, calling it an egregious violation of the Electoral Act and an obvious incentive.
According to findings, 16 political parties and their candidates will run for governor, and at least 2.8 million registered voters are anticipated to cast ballots.
Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, the National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-East, claimed that governor Soludo’s actions amounted to abuse of authority and vote-buying.
Additionally, Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), described Soludo’s pledge as “a public confession of vote-buying” and urged INEC to move quickly.
Governor Soludo was further accused by the Labour Party of weaponising poverty.
“This is not good for democracy. Why is he giving out money now that elections are near? This is vote-buying and manipulation. We will raise this matter at the next stakeholders’ meeting with INEC,” the party stated.
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