The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate what it described as a blatant attempt by Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State to induce voters ahead of the November 8 governorship election.
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, made the call on Sunday, October 26, through his official X account, urging the electoral body not to overlook the governor’s comments during a campaign rally in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area.
At the rally held on Saturday, October 25, Soludo eportedly announced cash rewards for wards that deliver victories for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the party under which he seeks re-election.
“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.
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“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,” Soludo told supporters.
Reacting, Abdullahi said, “Ahead of the November 8th election, Soludo has clearly lost the confidence of the people of Anambra, and it shows.”
He added, “Only a sitting governor who has run out of public goodwill would so openly resort to cash for votes, in direct violation of Sections 121 and 127 of the Electoral Act, which criminalise voter inducement of any form.
“This is a new level of desperation, wrapped in impunity, and I hope that INEC is not pretending not to see it.”