The All Progressives Congress has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, over his recent promise of cash rewards to party supporters in wards that deliver victory for the All Progressives Grand Alliance in next Saturday?s governorship election.

The APC?s National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, made the call in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, accusing Soludo of attempting to influence voters through financial inducement instead of relying on his administration?s performance.

Soludo, who is also the APGA governorship candidate, sparked controversy after pledging cash incentives during a campaign rally in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area, on October 25.

At the rally, the governor promised monetary rewards to party supporters based on ward performance in the 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 N1m, and we won all the wards in Orumba South.

?We promised each of these wards N1m, and next week, we will redeem it. The ward that comes first will get N5m, the second N3m, and the third N2m. That was the deal. For November 8, any ward that wins again will receive N1m, while the first three performing wards will get N5m, N2m, and N1m respectively,? Soludo said.

Reacting, Bashiru described Soludo?s statement as ?a reflection of desperation and lack of confidence,? alleging that the governor?s record in office had failed to inspire voter confidence.

?If he has been in office for over three years and cannot campaign based on his performance and impact on the people, it shows that he is challenged and needs to be voted out,? Bashiru said.

He further argued that the governor?s cash pledge undermined electoral integrity, adding, ?INEC should probe this matter and issue a public warning against such conduct. The police must also investigate APGA?s campaign finances to ensure compliance with electoral laws.?

However, Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, dismissed the allegations, describing the APC as a ?pathetic opposition? in the state.

In a telephone interview with Sunday PUNCH, Mefor said the APC deliberately misrepresented Soludo?s statement, insisting the governor?s remarks were aimed at boosting voter turnout, not buying votes.

?The APC in Anambra State is a pathetic opposition. It does not exist in the state ? no councillor, no local government chairman, no member in the House of Assembly or National Assembly,? he said.

?Governor Soludo has not offered any reward to those who would vote for him, but rather to all registered voters generally, regardless of party affiliation. His concern is the low voter turnout in Anambra elections, where only about 200,000 out of 2.7 million registered voters participated in the last poll,? Mefor added.

He maintained that Soludo?s administration had performed beyond expectations, noting that many communities had voluntarily contributed funds to support his re-election.

?Soludo doesn?t need to pay anyone to vote for him. People are eager to return him because of his performance. Nearly every community in Anambra has contributed millions to his re-election fund ? something unprecedented in the state,? he said. (Sunday PUNCH, excluding headline)

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