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The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Anambra State, John Chuma Nwosu, has accused Governor Chukwuma Soludo of using local government funds to influence voters ahead the November 8 governorship election.
He 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 newsmen 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.
He said, “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.”
The ADC guber candidate explained that while individual donations were not illegal, using public funds or compelling communities to donate amounts to a serious violation of electoral laws.
He further accused the Soludo administration of diverting funds meant for development projects in the 21 local government areas of the state, saying that most local governments have little or nothing to show despite receiving monthly federal allocations.
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, urging anti-graft agencies to investigate how local government funds are being spent.
He condemned the practice of inducing voters, saying it undermines democracy and the credibility of the electoral process just as he maintained that elections should be determined by the will of the people, not by financial inducement or intimidation.
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