The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has announced plans to mobilise its electoral strength to secure at least one million votes for its candidate, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, in the upcoming Anambra State governorship election. The move is intended to counter claims that the party’s candidate intends to engage in vote‑buying during the November 8 poll.
According to Dr Ejimofor Opara, APGA’s National Publicity Secretary, the party is working to reverse the trend of voter apathy that has plagued previous elections in the state. To achieve this, APGA will offer prizes to local government areas that mobilise the most voters, fostering healthy competition among party members across wards and local governments. Opara stressed that the initiative is not about vote‑buying but about encouraging greater voter participation. He pointed out that APGA’s dominance in the state means the party does not need 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 roughly 200,000 votes cast for its candidate in the last governorship election, despite there being 2.7 million registered voters. To illustrate this growth, Opara referenced the 2021 election, when a woman in the Ukwulu community reportedly rejected money from other parties to vote for APGA. The anecdote underscores the party’s popularity and shows 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 maximise voter participation and make a substantial impact in the upcoming election. The party’s efforts to address voter apathy and encourage citizens to exercise their right to vote are crucial for ensuring a successful and representative election. As the poll 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.
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