Soludo Addresses Cash Reward Scheme Amid Vote Buying Claims

Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has defended his administration’s cash reward initiative, responding to allegations of vote buying from opposition parties and civil society organisations. During a campaign rally in Awka South Local Government Area on March 13, 2024, Soludo clarified that the funds are intended for party members engaged in grassroots campaigning, not for direct voter inducement.

He stated, “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 emphasized that the funds are aimed at rewarding a small percentage of the electorate—specifically, those actively mobilising support for the party’s candidates.

The governor further explained that the program is structured as a performance-based incentive. “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, referring to the local term for money.

Soludo’s comments came in direct response to a wave of criticism that suggests the cash rewards could undermine electoral integrity. Opposition parties have voiced concerns that such initiatives may blur the line between legitimate campaign strategies and unethical practices.

Despite the backlash, Soludo remains firm in his stance, asserting that the cash rewards are a legitimate means to mobilise grassroots participation in the electoral process. He views this initiative as a way to encourage active involvement among party members ahead of the upcoming elections.

The debate surrounding the cash reward scheme highlights ongoing tensions in Anambra State’s political landscape, particularly as the election season approaches. Soludo’s administration faces scrutiny over its campaign tactics, and the effectiveness of these incentives in fostering voter turnout will likely be a focal point in the days leading up to the polls.

As the political atmosphere intensifies, the implications of such initiatives on electoral integrity and public trust remain to be seen.