Anambra State Government has defended Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s promise to reward political wards where his party wins in the upcoming election, stating its aim is to combat voter apathy, not influence voters illegally.

The clarification comes in response to allegations from opposition parties that the governor’s remarks during APGA rallies amounted to vote-buying.

Incentives for Canvassers, Not Voters

In a statement, the Governor’s Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, argued that the context of the promise is being misrepresented. He explained that the post-election rewards are intended for party canvassers—the individuals mobilizing voters—and not for the voters themselves.

“Members of political parties constitute less than five percent of voters. So, it is members of our political party as canvassers who will be given the incentive to mobilize voters,” Aburime stated.

He likened the strategy to a standard business practice, saying, “Governor Soludo likened the incentives to a manufacturer rewarding his marketers for increased sales, which is a legitimate exercise.”

A Direct Response to Low Voter Turnout

The government positioned the incentive as a direct solution to the chronic issue of voter apathy in elections. Aburime emphasized that the goal is to motivate party workers to actively encourage citizens to vote, thereby strengthening democratic participation.

“One of the key challenges in any election in contemporary Nigeria is voter apathy. Governor Soludo’s incentives are designed to combat this issue,” he said.

Commitment to a Free and Fair Election

The statement also reiterated Governor Soludo’s commitment to a transparent electoral process, quoting the governor’s own campaign rhetoric: “We in APGA stand for one man, one vote, transparent, free and fair election.”

Aburime concluded that the allegations are “unfounded and misleading,” asserting that the incentives are “clear, noble and competition-driven” and are solely meant to reward hard work and boost voter turnout after a history of electoral disengagement.