The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sly Ezeokonwa, has refuted allegations that his party engaged in vote buying during the recent Anambra gubernatorial election. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Ezeokonwa found the claims “shocking,” asserting that APGA lacks the financial resources to influence voters through monetary means.

He questioned the basis of such allegations, stating, “I think the best way to describe it is shocking, because I do not understand how APGA could control the resources to generate the number of votes that we did.” Ezeokonwa emphasized that the party’s success was a result of Governor Charles Soludo’s developmental policies being recognized by the people of Anambra State.

Ezeokonwa explained that the party’s campaign was community-driven, with local residents organizing and funding events to invite the governor to discuss his achievements. “At the end of the day, they gathered their legal resources to donate in aid of the campaign. That is what I call ownership,” he noted, reflecting on the unique grassroots support witnessed in this election.

The election, held on November 8, saw Governor Soludo declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), receiving 422,664 votes. In contrast, his main opponent, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), garnered only 99,445 votes.

Ezeokonwa reiterated that the performance of APGA exemplified genuine public support rather than financial manipulation, asserting that the victory stemmed from the party’s credibility and connection with the grassroots community.