By Tony Okafor, Awka
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Monday dismissed recent allegations that Governor Chukwuma Soludo had promised cash-for-votes, branding the claims a concoction by “disgruntled opposition elements” who, the party says, have read “the handwriting on the wall” ahead of the November 8 governorship poll.
The rebuttal came in a statement signed by Evangelist Chinedu Obigwe, National Coordinator of the APGA Media Warriors Forum, who accused opponents of resorting to “childish blackmail” in a desperate bid to score cheap political points.
Obigwe described the report he was responding to as “a fabricated tissue of lies” and urged voters to disregard what he called “confused political idiots” seeking to distract the electorate.
Obigwe said Governor Soludo never instructed anyone to pay voters, but rather announced what APGA describes as a motivational reward for wards that perform well in the election — a scheme the party insists is not the same as inducement or vote buying.
The coordinator argued that the Electoral Act criminalises voter inducement but does not outlaw post-election motivational rewards, and he reiterated the governor’s confidence in a resounding victory based on his administration’s record.
The governor’s pledge — widely reported in national media as a cash reward to wards that deliver victories for APGA — has already drawn criticism and calls for investigation from opposition parties and civil society, who say the move risks crossing the line into vote buying and could undermine the integrity of the poll. Local and national outlets have carried reports of the controversy in recent days.
APGA, through Obigwe, rejected that framing and insisted the exercise is meant to energise party faithful and reward grassroots mobilisation, not to purchase votes.
“Childish blackmail cannot save them on November 8,” the statement read, warning that the opposition will suffer a decisive defeat. The party’s spokesman urged voters to judge the contest on Soludo’s record, saying the governor’s achievements are “a redevelopment that cannot be covered with bare hands.”
Obigwe’s statement reads in part,”The truth is that Anambra disgruntled opposition elements have clearly read the handwriting on the wall, seen their defeat ahead of the forthcoming November 8th governorship election and resorted to the use of childish blackmail against Governor Soludo to score cheap political points.
“What I will tell them is that childish blackmail cannot save them on November 8th.
“They will definitely have a taste of the defeat that is clearly staring them on their faces.
“Governor Soludo did not at any time promise cash for vote rather what the Governor did was that he turned the November 8th governorship election to a healthy competition for APGA faithfuls in the 21 local government areas of Anambra State.
“He promised a motivational reward for any ward that takes 1st , 2nd and 3rd position in all the the local government in the State.
“He did not tell anybody that he will give them cash to vote for APGA.
“The Electoral Act 2022 did not criminalise motivational reward after election rather the Electoral act criminalised voters inducement which is giving someone money to vote for you.
“Governor Soludo is confident of clinching a well deserved victory in the November 8th governorship election because his administration achievements in the State speaks for itself.
Obigwe added, ” Governor Soludo has done marvellously well in the State and his good works can as well be likened to a 9months old pregnancy that cannot be covered with bare hands.
“As at today, Anambra disgruntled opposition elements can be referred to as inconsequential political idiots that are drowning in the murky waters of Anambra State politics that are desperately looking for a straw to hang onto for survival.
“I see Anambra disgruntled opposition elements as Ali and one sacrosanct fact they must take to the bank is that Ali must die and be buried politically on November 8th.
” It is Governor Soludo or nothing till March 17th 2030.”
Opposition leaders, however, have asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other authorities to scrutinise state-sponsored election spending and consider sanctions where the line between permissible campaign activity and inducement appears blurred. The unfolding dispute adds a fresh tension to an already heated run-up to the Anambra governorship election.
