Anambra Elections: ADC Warns INEC Not to Overlook Soludo’s ‘Cash for Votes’ Pledge

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State over what it described as an open attempt to induce voters ahead of the November 8 governorship election.

This follows the governor’s recent remarks at a campaign rally in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area, where he pledged cash rewards to wards that deliver votes for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) — the party under which he is seeking re-election.

Soludo had told supporters that every ward won by APGA would receive ₦1 million, while the top three performing wards would get ₦5 million, ₦2 million, and ₦1 million, respectively.

“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 ₦1 million, and we won all the wards in Orumba South.

“We promised each of these wards ₦1 million, and next week we will redeem it. For November 8, any ward that wins again will receive ₦1 million, while the first three performing wards will get ₦5 million, ₦2 million, and ₦1 million, respectively,” the governor said.

Reacting to the comment, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, said Soludo’s promise amounts to “cash for votes,” which violates the Electoral Act 2022, particularly Sections 121 and 127, which prohibit any form of voter inducement.

“Ahead of the November 8 election, Soludo has clearly lost the confidence of the people, and it shows,” Abdullahi said.

“Only a sitting governor who has run out of public goodwill would so openly resort to cash for votes, in direct violation of the Electoral Act. This is a new level of desperation wrapped in impunity, and I hope INEC is not pretending not to see it.”

Meanwhile, sources within the Anambra State Government have dismissed opposition criticism, insisting that the governor’s statement was merely a motivational gesture to party supporters rather than an inducement for votes.

Observers, however, warn that such monetary pledges could set a dangerous precedent and erode public confidence in the credibility of the electoral process if left unchecked by the electoral umpire.

The Anambra governorship election is expected to be closely contested, with APGA, the ADC, Labour Party, All Progressives Congress (APC), and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) all fielding candidates in the race.

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