Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has defended his administration’s campaign cash reward initiative, dismissing allegations that it constitutes vote buying.
Speaking during a campaign rally in Awka South Local Government Area on Wednesday, Soludo clarified that the incentives were strictly for party canvassers who have been working to mobilise voters, not for the electorate 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 the beneficiaries represent only a small fraction of the population and that the initiative is designed as a performance-based motivation 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 followed growing criticism from opposition parties and civil society organisations, who argued that the scheme could undermine electoral integrity.
However, Soludo maintained that the gesture was a legitimate campaign strategy aimed at encouraging grassroots participation ahead of the upcoming polls.
