The Anambra State government has dismissed allegations that Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s promise to reward All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) wards that perform well in the forthcoming November 8 elections amounts to vote buying.
According to the governor’s press secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, the statement was grossly misinterpreted by opposition parties. He explained that Soludo’s remarks were aimed at encouraging voter participation and combating voter apathy, which has been a recurring challenge in Nigerian elections.
“The governor’s comments were not about inducing voters,” Aburime clarified. “They were directed at party canvassers who will be mobilizing voters to the polling units. The incentives are simply a way to motivate them, not to buy votes.”
Aburime likened the gesture to a manufacturer rewarding marketers for increased sales, insisting it is a legitimate practice in democratic systems.
“In politics across the world, including in the United States, political parties often pay canvassers before elections. In our case, the reward comes after the election, based on performance. That cannot be described as vote buying,” he said.
Governor Soludo, while addressing APGA supporters during one of his campaign events, had urged them not to assume victory but to go out and vote.
“Don’t sit at home and say Soludo has won. We have to win when you have voted. APGA stands for one man, one vote — transparent, free, and fair elections. We will cooperate with INEC to ensure the freest and most credible election ever conducted,” the governor said.
The government maintained that Soludo remains committed to credible, transparent elections and has repeatedly called for cooperation with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure fairness.
“The real issue is voter apathy,” Aburime emphasized. “Governor Soludo’s incentives are designed to encourage political participation by rewarding canvassers who successfully mobilize voters. His commitment to free and fair elections is unwavering.”
He described allegations of vote buying as “unfounded and misleading,” adding that Soludo’s remarks were clear, noble, and focused on boosting voter engagement, not compromising the integrity of the electoral process.
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