Governor Soludo.webp
The Digest:

Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo has promised cash rewards of up to ₦5 million to wards that deliver the highest votes for his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in the November 8 governorship election. The announcement, made during a campaign rally in Orumba South, has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, who accuse the governor of outright vote-buying and violating electoral laws.

Key Points:
  • Governor Soludo promises ₦1 million to any ward that wins for APGA, with top performers getting up to ₦5 million.
  • The African Democratic Congress (ADC) calls it "a new level of desperation."
  • The APC South-East Vice Chairman describes it as vote-buying and an abuse of office.
  • The Labour Party accuses Soludo of "weaponising poverty" to buy legitimacy.
  • APGA defends the incentives as "healthy competition" to boost voter turnout.
  • The Electoral Act 2022 criminalizes offering gifts to induce voters, with penalties including fines and imprisonment.
  • INEC has confirmed 99% readiness for the Anambra election, with 2.8 million registered voters.
As legal and ethical questions mount, this strategy highlights the blurred lines between political motivation and electoral offense in Nigeria's tense political landscape.

Sources: BBC, Daily Post

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