Reactions intensify on Eagle FM’s Paper Rounds ahead of Anambra’s November 8 poll

Photo File: Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo

The controversy surrounding Anambra State Governor Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s ₦1 million-per-ward incentive to supporters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has continued to deepen, with opposition parties and citizens accusing the governor of voter inducement ahead of the November 8 governorship election.

During Paper Rounds, a newspaper review programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, listeners and analysts described the governor’s incentive as a “veiled attempt to buy loyalty”, despite APGA’s defence that it was meant to boost voter participation and healthy political competition.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance had earlier clarified that Governor Soludo’s monetary promise was not an act of vote-buying but a strategic move to encourage electoral participation at the grassroots. The governor himself defended the initiative, recalling that a similar measure was used during earlier campaigns in the Anambra South Senatorial Zone.

“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 ₦1 million, and we won all the wards in Orumba South,” Soludo said.

However, the defence has not quelled public outrage.

During the Eagle FM programme, Evangelist Olu Ogunnaike criticised the move, calling it “a criminal offence” and accusing Soludo of attempting to “mesmerise and entice” voters.

“If he has done well, there’s no need to do that. That’s why I’ve been clamouring for the removal of the immunity clause because governors have turned themselves into emperors instead of focusing on developing the economy and combating insecurity,” Ogunnaike said.

Another caller, Abdulwasiu, likened the governor’s initiative to past federal social programmes used for political gain.

“We are not beggars in this country. Enough of this vote-buying. They should stop playing with our intelligence. What we need is security, agriculture, education, and healthcare—not handouts,” he stated.

Ajidare, another contributor, blamed the political class for “weaponising poverty” and urged voters to reject inducements at the polls.

“Doing the right thing for voters is better than romancing them with food or money. Vote-buying is not the way forward,” he said.

The backlash has now extended beyond public discourse to the political arena, as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused Governor Soludo of breaching electoral laws.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi said the governor’s action was “a new level of desperation wrapped in impunity”, alleging a violation of Sections 121 and 127 of the Electoral Act, which criminalise voter inducement.

“Ahead of the November 8th election, Soludo has clearly lost the confidence of the people of Anambra, and it shows,” Abdullahi wrote.

“Only a sitting governor who has run out of public goodwill would so openly resort to cash-for-votes, in direct violation of the Electoral Act. I hope INEC is not pretending not to see it.”

Similarly, the ADC governorship candidate John Nwosu had earlier raised concerns about the legality of donations reportedly made by individuals, groups, and local governments toward Soludo’s re-election campaign.

“Such donations raise real concerns about compliance with the Electoral Act, morality, and the rule of law. If cash-strapped local governments are donating millions to the governor’s campaign, that is a charade and a blatant display of official dishonesty,” Nwosu said.

The growing backlash underscores the tension between APGA’s justification and public perception, as Nigerians increasingly view cash-based political mobilisation as a subtle form of electoral manipulation.

Political observers say the controversy reflects a broader issue in Nigeria’s democracy: the persistent entanglement of money, influence, and politics. With just days to the Anambra governorship election, both opposition voices and civic groups are urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take a clear stance on the legality of the governor’s action.

As the debate rages, one thing remains clear: the promise of ₦1 million per ward has not only stirred voter curiosity but also rekindled a national conversation about ethics, governance, and the true cost of democracy.