Soludo Ridicules APC For Late Campaign Flag-Off, Urges Voters To Collect Their Money And Reject Them At Polls

 

The political climate in Anambra State is heating up as Governor Charles Soludo has taken a sharp jab at the All Progressives Congress (APC) over what he described as a laughable and belated campaign launch just a week before the state’s governorship election. The governor, who spoke passionately during the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) campaign rally at Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area, accused the APC of unseriousness and desperation, urging voters to collect any financial inducements offered by the party but to decisively vote against them on election day.

Soludo’s remarks came shortly after the APC held its governorship campaign flag-off at the All Saints Anglican Cathedral, Onitsha, where the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, publicly declared that the APC was poised to defeat APGA in the November 8, 2025, election. Yilwatda, who attended the rally alongside the APC candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, had told supporters that his party represented a “messenger of hope” and was ready to transform Anambra State if given the mandate.

The APGA leader, however, found Yilwatda’s comments and timing amusing, describing the APC’s campaign schedule as a sign of weakness and poor preparation. According to Soludo, a political party that launches its campaign just seven days before a major election cannot be taken seriously. He said such behavior only confirms that the APC is out of touch with the political realities and aspirations of Anambra people.

While addressing a large crowd of enthusiastic APGA supporters, Soludo dismissed the APC’s ambitions as misplaced and predicted a landslide victory for his party. He urged citizens not to be swayed by financial temptations from opposition parties, insisting that Anambra voters are too politically sophisticated to be deceived by last-minute promises. He also told the people to go ahead and collect any money offered to them by desperate politicians, eat it, and then vote for APGA to ensure continuity and good governance.

The governor’s comment, “Collect their money, eat it, and vote them out,” drew loud cheers from the crowd, who chanted solidarity songs in support of his re-election bid. He emphasized that the progress recorded in Anambra under his administration is a testament to his government’s capacity to deliver meaningful development and that no other party has presented a more credible plan for the future of the state.

Soludo also highlighted several achievements of his administration, including infrastructural development, youth empowerment, urban renewal, and improvements in security across key regions of the state. He reminded the people that his government has prioritized accountability and transparency, ensuring that public funds are used for the benefit of all citizens. The governor urged voters to protect the progress already made by rejecting parties that have no genuine interest in Anambra’s growth.

Meanwhile, political analysts have described the APC’s late campaign start as a major strategic misstep. Many believe that the ruling party at the federal level has struggled to gain a strong foothold in Anambra since the dominance of APGA, a party that has held the state’s political reins for nearly two decades. The APC’s candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, is seen as facing an uphill task in unseating Soludo, whose popularity remains strong among key local communities.

At the Onitsha rally, Yilwatda had maintained that the APC was determined to break APGA’s political hold and bring what he called a “new era of governance” to Anambra. He argued that the state deserved to be connected politically to the center and that the APC government at the federal level would give Anambra greater access to resources and opportunities. But Soludo dismissed this claim as another political gimmick, saying Anambra does not need to align with any party to thrive.

The governor’s remarks have sparked reactions across political circles, with some accusing him of encouraging voters to take bribes, while others defended his statement as a form of political realism reflecting the deep-rooted culture of vote buying in Nigerian elections. Many supporters argue that his message was simply an appeal for citizens to refuse being manipulated by money politics while standing firm in their democratic convictions.

As the countdown to the November 8 poll continues, both major parties are intensifying efforts to mobilize supporters across the 21 local government areas of Anambra State. The coming days are expected to be filled with more political rallies, endorsements, and strategic alliances. However, Soludo remains confident that his record in office and his connection with the grassroots will secure a decisive victory for APGA.

His final message to the crowd at Abagana captured the mood of the rally: “We are not just campaigning; we are continuing a movement for a better Anambra. Let them bring their money, let them bring their promises. Take it, eat it, and when it matters most, vote wisely. Vote for progress, vote for APGA.”