The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Anambra State, John Chuma Nwosu, has accused Governor Chukwuma Soludo of using local government funds to influence voters ahead of the November 8 governorship election.
Nwosu alleged that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)-led administration was “coercing communities to make donations” to support Soludo’s campaign, describing the action as a clear breach of the Electoral Act 2022.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, the ADC candidate claimed that several community groups and town unions were under pressure to contribute large sums to the governor’s campaign fund.
“I’m aware of the reports that some groups and town unions have made humongous donations to Governor Soludo and APGA to purportedly support his governorship election campaign,” he said.
Nwosu explained that while individual donations were not illegal, using public funds or compelling communities to donate amounts to a serious violation of electoral laws.
“If the deal is that people are given padded and bloated contracts on the condition that they return the extras as campaign donations, then it is wrong, and a subterfuge that borders on criminality,” he added.
The ADC candidate further accused the Soludo administration of diverting funds meant for development projects in the 21 local government areas of the state.
According to him, most local governments have little or nothing to show despite receiving monthly federal allocations.
“It is on record that virtually all the local governments in Anambra have nothing to show from the current governor and his government relative to the funds they have received from the federal government,” he stated.
Nwosu said concerned citizens had reached out to him, complaining about the ongoing “round-tripping donations” being forced on communities, which he described as both dishonest and dangerous for democracy.
The ADC candidate warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to closely monitor campaign financing and ensure compliance with the Electoral Act.
He also urged anti-graft agencies to investigate how local government funds are being spent.
“Given what transpired during the last by-elections, we know that the APGA-led government has gone rogue,” he said, alleging that the level of vote-buying and manipulation in Anambra was unprecedented.
He condemned the practice of inducing voters, saying it undermines democracy and the credibility of the electoral process.
“Those who sell their votes must remember that they are selling their patrimony, freedom, and democratic rights,” he added.
Nwosu maintained that elections should be determined by the will of the people, not by financial inducement or intimidation.