The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has announced plans to mobilize its electoral strength to secure at least one million votes for its candidate, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, in the upcoming Anambra State governorship election. This move is aimed at countering claims that the party’s candidate intends to engage in vote buying during the November 8 election.
According to Dr. Ejimofor Opara, National Publicity Secretary of APGA, the party is working to reverse the trend of voter apathy in the state, which has been a concern in previous elections. To achieve this, APGA is offering prizes to local government areas that mobilize the most voters, promoting a healthy competition among party members across wards and local governments.
Opara emphasized that this initiative is not about vote buying, but rather about encouraging increased voter participation. He cited the party’s dominance in the state, stating that APGA does not require inducements to win elections. The party’s goal is to exploit its electoral strength and reach the one million vote mark, a significant increase from the 200,000 votes cast in the last governorship election, despite having 2.7 million registered voters.
To put this into perspective, Opara referenced the 2021 election, where a woman in Ukwulu community reportedly rejected money from other political parties to vote for APGA. This anecdote highlights the party’s popularity in the state and demonstrates that offering incentives for high voter turnout is not equivalent to paying for votes.
By promoting competition among local government areas and wards, APGA aims to maximize voter participation and make a significant impact in the upcoming election. The party’s efforts to address voter apathy and encourage citizens to exercise their right to vote are crucial in ensuring a successful and representative election. As the election approaches, it remains to be seen whether APGA’s strategy will yield the desired results and contribute to a higher voter turnout in Anambra State.
