November 8 : We Are Not Buying Votes, Gov Soludo Clarifies N10 million Donation To LGA With Highest Vote

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has dismissed allegations of vote buying following his announcement of a ₦10 million cash reward for the local government area that records the highest number of votes for his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in the upcoming November 8 governorship election.

The governor made the clarification during a campaign event on Monday, explaining that the ₦10 million incentive was designed as a developmental motivation, not a vote-buying scheme.

“This is not about buying votes; it’s about encouraging active civic participation,” Soludo said. “The ₦10 million reward will go toward community development projects in whichever local government demonstrates the highest voter turnout and support — not to individuals.”

He further emphasized that the fund would be channeled into public infrastructure, education, or healthcare improvements within the winning local government, underlining his administration’s commitment to transparent governance and community-driven progress.

The governor’s statement comes amid mounting criticism from opposition parties and civic groups who claimed the initiative could be seen as an indirect form of vote inducement.
However, Soludo maintained that his goal is to reward political engagement and collective responsibility, especially at the grassroots level.

“Every democracy thrives on participation,” he added. “This ₦10 million reward is an investment in our communities’ future — a way to motivate people to take ownership of their democratic rights.”

Political analysts note that Soludo’s clarification reflects growing public scrutiny around the boundaries between campaign incentives and voter influence ahead of the 2025 elections.

Observers also pointed out that similar community reward models have been used in parts of Nigeria to boost voter education and turnout, particularly in rural areas where political apathy remains high.

As the November 8 election draws closer, the Anambra political landscape continues to heat up, with APGA positioning itself as a party focused on grassroots empowerment, infrastructure growth, and accountability.