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Soludo Under Fire Over N1m-Per-Ward Election Promise
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has come under intense criticism following his announcement that each ward that secures victory for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the forthcoming November 8 governorship election would receive ₦1 million as a reward.
The governor made the statement during a campaign rally in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area, describing the promise as a “motivational incentive” for his party supporters to deliver victory at the polls.
However, the remark has drawn widespread backlash from opposition parties, civil society organisations, and election observers, who described it as an open endorsement of vote-buying.
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Opposition Parties React
The All Progressives Congress (APC) condemned the governor’s statement, accusing him of attempting to manipulate the electoral process through financial inducement.
APC’s South-East National Vice Chairman, Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, said Soludo’s comment violated the Electoral Act and the spirit of fair competition.
“Governor Soludo’s promise is a clear case of vote-buying, no matter how he tries to disguise it. We will petition INEC and relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate this act,” Arodiogbu stated.
Similarly, the Labour Party (LP) expressed concern over what it called the “monetisation of democracy,” arguing that the move could erode public confidence in the electoral process.
LP’s spokesperson, Obiora Ifoh, said, “This is not motivation; it is manipulation. Leaders should inspire voters with good governance, not money.”
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also joined the outcry, describing Soludo’s pledge as “an unacceptable attempt to commercialise electoral loyalty.”
Civil Groups, Election Monitors Condemn Move
Reacting to the controversy, the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the governor’s statement.
CACOL’s Executive Director, Debo Adeniran, said the promise was “tantamount to vote-buying,” and warned that such practices could damage Nigeria’s democracy.
Election observer group YIAGA Africa also criticised the offer, noting that incentives tied to electoral performance constitute indirect vote-buying.
“Vote-buying is not only the exchange of cash at polling units. Any financial reward meant to influence electoral behaviour falls under that category,” said YIAGA’s Media Officer, Jennifer Dafwat.
Government Defends Soludo
In response to the criticisms, the Anambra State government dismissed the allegations as “misplaced and politically motivated.”
Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, defended the governor, insisting that the ₦1 million promise was a legitimate way to encourage party performance at the grassroots.
“Governor Soludo was simply motivating party members who work hard to ensure APGA’s success. It’s not vote-buying but recognition of effort,” Mefor said.
He added that the opposition was only “grasping for attention” ahead of the polls.
INEC Urged to Act
Several political observers have urged INEC to take a clear stance on the matter to discourage similar practices by other politicians.
Former Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Chairman, Yabagi Sani, warned that such comments, if left unchecked, could embolden candidates to openly trade money for votes.
“This is a dangerous precedent. Election motivation must not cross into illegality,” he said.
Public Reactions Mixed
On the streets of Awka, Nnewi, and Onitsha, opinions remain divided. While some residents see the governor’s offer as a harmless reward for party loyalty, others believe it undermines democracy.
A resident, Mrs. Ifeoma Okeke said “If a governor wants to appreciate party members, it should not be during an election season. This looks like buying votes.”
Another voter, Chinedu Nwosu, disagreed, saying,
“Every political party rewards its people differently. As long as the money isn’t given directly to voters, it’s not vote-buying.”
As Election Day Approaches
With the November 8 Anambra governorship election fast approaching, Soludo’s ₦1 million-per-ward comment has become one of the most talked-about political topics in the state.
Whether seen as motivation or manipulation, the promise has once again highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to draw the line between party mobilisation and electoral inducement.
The Labour Party has commended former President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat in the 2015 presidential election, saying his decision demonstrated that political power was not worth the blood of Nigerians.
The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, made the statement on Tuesday in Bauchi State while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue.
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The event, organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, was themed, “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and the Judiciary Save African Democracy?”
Usman said Nigeria’s democracy survived the tensions surrounding the 2015 election because Jonathan chose to put the national interest above his desire to remain in office.
She said, “Nigeria’s democracy survived the doomsday predictions of bookmakers in 2015 because of President Jonathan’s concession of defeat in that year’s election, even before the final votes were tallied.”
According to her, Jonathan’s approach to politics was exceptional, particularly because he had consistently maintained that neither his election nor remaining in power was worth the blood of any Nigerian.
Usman stated, “Such a principled approach to politics had never before been witnessed on the Nigerian political horizon. Jonathan, from the inception of his presidency, consistently maintained that neither his election nor remaining in power was worth the blood of any Nigerian.”
She added that Jonathan demonstrated the sincerity of his position when the 2015 election tested his commitment to the principle.
The Labour Party chairman urged politicians preparing for the 2027 general elections to emulate Jonathan’s non-violent approach to politics, respect democratic rules and place national interest above personal ambitions.
She also questioned whether politicians seeking the presidency in 2027 would be prepared to make similar sacrifices for national unity, particularly amid inflammatory rhetoric from some political camps.
Usman further recalled the saying attributed to Warren Buffett that someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.
She argued that Nigerians are able to practise democracy today partly because Jonathan made sacrifices at a critical moment.
On the Labour Party’s preparations for the 2027 elections, Usman described the party as the most structured opposition political party in Nigeria.
She said the Labour Party’s relationship with the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress had strengthened its political structure nationwide.
Usman claimed that the party remained the only opposition party with a realistic presence across Nigeria’s 186,000 polling units.
She said, “With the combined strength of the NLC and the TUC, both of which are constitutional members of the party, no Nigerian political party is better positioned to show the APC government the exit door than the Labour Party.”
The democracy dialogue attracted several political leaders and dignitaries, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Others included former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, APC Deputy National Chairman, South, Dr Ben Nwoye, and the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu.
The dialogue provided a platform for discussions on strengthening democratic institutions, the role of political parties and the judiciary, and preventing democratic reversals across Africa.
Nigeria has recorded another major achievement on the international stage as the Mountain Top Chorale of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) emerged champion of the 2026 World Choir Games in Helsingborg, Sweden.
The Nigerian choir clinched the gold medal in the Spiritual Category (C14), scoring an impressive 87.38 points in the competition conducted by Oluwasegun Okedunmola.
The feat was celebrated by the General Overseer of MFM, Daniel Olukoya, who described the victory as a major moment of pride for Nigeria and the ministry.
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In a Monday Facebook post, Olukoya wrote, “A CHAMPION’S SOUND! GOLD FOR MOUNTAIN TOP CHORALE!”
According to him, the choir secured two major honours at the 2026 competition, including the gold medal in the Spiritual Category and the overall championship in the Champions Competition.
He said the achievement went beyond music, describing it as a demonstration of “discipline, excellence, dedication, teamwork and the power of using our gifts to glorify God.”
Olukoya also commended the choristers, conductor, leadership of the choir and everyone whose sacrifices and commitment contributed to the success.
The World Choir Games, organised by Interkultur, is regarded as the world’s largest international choir competition. The 2026 edition is being held in Helsingborg from August 6 to 16.
The host organisation said about 8,500 singers from more than 40 countries are participating, with more than 160 choirs taking part in the competition, concerts and other activities.
The 2026 edition is also the first time the World Choir Games are being held in Sweden.
Mountain Top Chorale’s victory places the Nigerian choir among the top performers at the global choral event and further highlights Nigeria’s presence in international gospel and choral music.
Celebrating the achievement, Olukoya said, “From Nigeria to the world, Mountain Top Chorale has raised the banner high.”
He concluded his message by congratulating the choir and giving glory to God for the historic achievement.
Former presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign over what he described as “failure in governance,” drawing comparisons with political accountability in other democracies following the resignation announcement of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Monday, Obi said he had followed Starmer’s resignation speech and reflected on what he described as the importance of leadership responsibility in democratic governance.
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“As a keen observer of global politics, my primary interest lies in examining what successful nations do right and the structural factors that cause others to lag or struggle with governance and development,” Obi said.
He noted that Starmer’s decision followed growing public dissatisfaction over economic challenges, rising cost of living, and unmet campaign promises in the United Kingdom.
Obi then drew parallels with Nigeria, recalling that before the 2015 general elections, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had repeatedly called on then-President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over insecurity.
“During the Chibok school kidnapping incident, he demanded the immediate resignation of President Jonathan, arguing that the government had failed in its most fundamental duty of protecting lives,” Obi stated.
He also referenced campaign promises made by Tinubu during the 2023 elections, including commitments to improve electricity supply, tackle corruption, and enhance the welfare of Nigerians.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made several promises, including improved electricity supply. He also challenged the electorate not to vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver on those commitments,” Obi said.
According to him, conditions in the country have since deteriorated, with persistent power shortages, worsening insecurity, and deepening economic hardship.
“At present, however, these conditions have worsened. Electricity supply remains unreliable, insecurity has intensified in many areas, including kidnappings, and economic hardship has deepened rather than eased,” he added.
Obi further argued that other sectors, including infrastructure, transportation, and anti-corruption efforts, had also suffered setbacks, insisting that Nigeria is currently in “the worst possible condition.”
The opposition figure therefore called on President Tinubu to step down, saying such a move would promote accountability in public office.
“I, therefore, join Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the resignation of the President over monumental failure in governance,” Obi said.
He added that resignation would help foster “a political culture rooted in accountability and responsibility” and reinforce the idea that “public office is a sacred trust, not an entitlement,” stressing the need for what he called “a New Nigeria that is possible.”
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