By Sunny A. David, Awka
The deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, Senator Uche Ekwunife, has accused Governor Charles Soludo of engaging in large-scale vote buying, allegedly offering ₦5 million per polling unit.
She described the act as a deliberate attempt to corrupt the electoral process and influence voters.
Ekwunife made the allegation on Saturday shortly after tension erupted at her polling unit located at Regal Secondary School, Nri, in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The incident reportedly left at least two people injured before security operatives intervened to restore order.
Speaking to journalists, Ekwunife said: “The process is going well, but there’s widespread vote buying. In some polling units, the Governor allegedly offered as much as ₦5 million each.
“As a former lawmaker, I believe something drastic must be done to curb vote buying in Nigeria. If this practice continues unchecked, competent and capable individuals may never have the opportunity to serve their people.
“What we are witnessing in Anambra is unfortunate — instead of focusing on good governance, the Governor is corrupting the people with money.”
Ekwunife further alleged that thugs were deployed to disrupt the election process at her polling unit. “Before we arrived, the Governor allegedly sent about 100 thugs to cause chaos here.
“But as a grassroots politician and an indigene who has personally contributed to the development of this community, I was able to resist them. I’m happy that the people stood firm and prevented the disruption,” she added.
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mazi Ejimofor Opara, dismissed the allegations as baseless.
In his words: “Governor Soludo has no reason to engage in vote buying, considering his tremendous developmental achievements during his first term. Ekwunife knows she is losing and is simply crying wolf where there is none,” Opara stated.
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