By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The National Coordinator of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Media Warriors Forum, Chinedu Obigwe, has dismissed claims that the state Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, is offering money to the electorate for votes ahead of the November 8 Anambra gubernatorial election.

He described the story as a fabrication circulated by opposition elements who, he said, have already “read the handwriting on the wall” and are attempting to discredit the governor in the run-up to the election.

Obigwe said: “Soludo never promised cash in exchange for votes. Rather, the governor spoke about modest rewards for the top three performers in each of the state’s 21 local government areas, a scheme intended to encourage healthy competition among APGA supporters.

“This is a baseless attempt at blackmail that will not save them on November 8. They will suffer the defeat that is already evident.”

“The Electoral Act 2022 distinguishes between unlawful voter inducement – giving money to someone to secure their vote – and non-criminal motivational rewards distributed after a contest.

“The Electoral Act criminalizes inducement to vote for a particular candidate, not legitimate post-election recognition for outstanding performance,” he said.

“Governor Soludo is confident of victory because the administration’s achievements are visible to the electorate. The governor’s accomplishments is like a pregnancy that cannot be hidden. Soludo’s record is plainly evident to voters.

“If the opposition thinks they can halt this momentum with falsehoods, they are mistaken.”

Obigwe further reiterated that APGA remains focused on mobilizing voters and showcasing the administration’s performance.