Anambra Elections: Don’t Overlook Governor Soludo’s Cash-For-Votes Pledge, ADC Warns INEC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised alarm over what it described as a “dangerous and unethical” campaign tactic allegedly linked to Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, ahead of the forthcoming local elections in the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the party cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies not to ignore reports that Governor Soludo, through political proxies, had allegedly promised cash incentives to voters to secure victory for candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The ADC spokesperson, Mrs. Nkem Ibe, accused the Soludo-led administration of “weaponizing poverty and attempting to manipulate the democratic process with money,” warning that such acts undermine public trust in free and fair elections.

“INEC must not close its eyes to this emerging pattern of vote buying. When a sitting governor openly promises financial rewards for votes, it calls into question the integrity of the electoral process,” Ibe stated.

The party called on civil society organizations, election observers, and anti-graft agencies to closely monitor the elections, stressing that democracy in Anambra was “under siege from money politics.”

While urging citizens to resist inducements, the ADC reminded Governor Soludo that the essence of democracy was service and accountability — not transactional politics.

“Governor Soludo should be reminded that leadership legitimacy cannot be bought with cash. The people of Anambra deserve transparent governance, not monetized loyalty,” the statement added.

As of the time of filing this report, Governor Soludo’s media team and APGA had not responded to requests for comment on the ADC’s allegations.

INEC has yet to issue an official statement, though sources within the commission said all political parties were being monitored for compliance with electoral guidelines.