…decries vote buying
By Ime Silas
Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s victory at the Anambra state gubernatorial election held last Saturday has been described as victory for steadfastness and commitment to progressive governance, intellectual leadership and people-centered development.
The Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD) while giving the description in a statement said Prof Soludo’s re-election represented a collective endorsement of his administration’s innovative reforms in education and good leadership which the forum notes reflected on all sectors of the state.
“The Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD) extends its warm congratulations to Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, Governor of Anambra State, on his resounding victory in the recently concluded governorship election. The Forum commends Governor Soludo’s steadfast commitment to progressive governance, intellectual leadership, and people-centered development policies that continue to inspire confidence among Ndi Anambra and Nigerians at large”, FOSAD noted in a congratulatory message jointly signed by its President, Dr. Stephen Nwala and Secretary-General, Dr. Uzor Ngoladi.
The message continued: “Governor Soludo’s re-election, in the view of FOSAD, represents a collective endorsement of his administration’s innovative reforms in education, infrastructure, digital governance, and fiscal discipline. His intellectual rigor and transparent approach to leadership remain exemplary, reflecting the values of competence, integrity, and accountability that our region and nation require for sustainable development.
“However, while celebrating this democratic milestone, FOSAD expresses deep concern over reports of widespread vote buying and financial inducement witnessed during the electoral process. Such practices, the Forum notes, undermine the credibility of elections and erode public trust in democratic institutions. The commercialization of the ballot, if left unchecked, threatens to replace merit and genuine civic participation with corrupt patronage and transactional politics.
As an intellectual community, FOSAD emphasizes that democracy thrives not merely on the casting of ballots but on the sanctity of the process. Vote buying represents a direct assault on democratic values, disenfranchising citizens who lack financial power and weakening accountability mechanisms that ensure good governance. It is, therefore, imperative that both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant law enforcement agencies investigate these reported infractions and take decisive action to deter future occurrences.
The Forum also calls on political actors across Anambra State and the South-East to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship, peace, and collective responsibility. Elections should never be a do-or-die affair but a democratic opportunity to renew the social contract between the government and the governed. The post-election period must therefore focus on healing divisions, fostering inclusivity, and consolidating gains for the socio-economic transformation of the state”.
The Academic Doctors in the message also urged the re-elected governor to further deepen his various reforms while pledging their readiness to collaborate with him in order to redefine governance in the southeastern region.
“FOSAD further urges Governor Soludo to deepen his ongoing reforms in education, research-driven policymaking, and youth empowerment—areas that have significant potential to redefine governance in the South-East. The Forum reiterates its readiness to collaborate with his administration through knowledge exchange, policy research, and evidence-based recommendations that can strengthen institutional performance across the state.
In conclusion, while congratulating Governor Soludo on his electoral victory, FOSAD reaffirms its unwavering commitment to promoting democracy, good governance, and intellectual integrity in the South-East and Nigeria at large. The Forum stands firmly against the monetization of politics and urges all stakeholders to recommit to the ideals of a fair, credible, and transparent electoral process”.
