Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has advised voters to accept money from political parties attempting to buy votes in the forthcoming 8 November governorship election — but ultimately cast their ballots for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the ruling party in the state.
Speaking on Wednesday during a campaign rally in Anambra East Local Government Area, the governor, who is seeking re-election under the APGA banner, alleged that opposition parties were preparing for vote-rigging and electoral violence.
“They are planning for rigging, they are planning for violence,” Governor Soludo told supporters. “But APGA is planning for free, fair, transparent, and credible elections. That’s what we are planning.”
He continued: “We are going to get the voters out. What we need is for everybody to vote, we count the votes, announce the votes, and when you do that, we know who the winner will be.
“Let them bring the money. They will share the money. We will take the money and then vote for APGA.”
Soludo, a former Central Bank Governor, emphasised that APGA remains deeply rooted in the political identity of the state.
“APGA is Anambra, Anambra is APGA, Anambra is APGA fortress. In Anambra, APGA is not just a political party, it’s almost like a religious movement,” he declared.
Performance-based rewards for party loyalty
In a separate address at the same rally, Governor Soludo also introduced a controversial reward scheme designed to incentivise high voter turnout and electoral support for APGA.
He announced that financial rewards would be given to local government areas and wards that deliver the highest number of votes for the party on election day.
According to Soludo, the top-performing local government in Anambra State would receive a cash prize of ₦10 million, with the second and third places earning ₦5 million and ₦3 million respectively.
“Everywhere is APGA. We are targeting to win all the polling units everywhere,” he said.
Soludo also promised that wards which secure wins for APGA would be awarded ₦1 million each, while campaign coordinators and chairmen would receive ₦500,000 per ward won in the previous House of Assembly elections — a reward he assured was already being calculated and distributed.
He added: “It’s a challenge. Out of the 21 local governments, which one will win? Local government that will win out of the 21 will get a cash award of ₦10 million.”
Concerns over electoral integrity
The governor’s remarks, particularly his suggestion that voters accept bribes from rival parties while remaining loyal to APGA, have sparked debate about electoral integrity and vote-buying.
While Soludo framed his comments as a strategy to counter corruption from other parties, critics may view the approach as an endorsement of systemic malpractice.
Nevertheless, the rally drew a large turnout, with party faithfuls chanting slogans and pledging their support ahead of the high-stakes election.
The 8 November governorship poll will serve as a key test of Soludo’s popularity and APGA’s grip on Anambra politics. As campaigning intensifies, attention is now turning to how these promises and political manoeuvres will shape voter behaviour and electoral outcomes across the state.
