Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has defended his administration’s cash reward scheme following criticism from opposition groups and civil society organisations who accused him of encouraging vote buying.

Speaking during a campaign rally in Awka South Local Government Area on Wednesday, Soludo clarified that the funds were directed at party members actively canvassing for support, not at voters themselves.

“When we are giving incentives, incentives happen to be for our party men and women who are working hard, knocking door to door, trying to convince voters to go to the polling unit,” Soludo said.

He explained that such party workers represent only a small percentage of the electorate and that the initiative was designed as a performance-based incentive rather than an inducement.

“We are not paying anybody. We are only saying if the 2% succeed as canvassers in convincing voters to come and vote, we will reward them as an incentive to work harder. It’s not vote-buying; we’re not giving anybody shishi for voting,” he added.

The governor’s clarification came after mounting backlash online and from opposition parties, who argued that the public offer risked undermining electoral integrity.

However, Soludo maintained that the gesture was a legitimate campaign contribution aimed at mobilising grassroots participation ahead of the polls. (AriseNews TV)