Citypost News Desk
The member representing Nnewi North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Augustine Onyekachukwu Ikediorji, has challenged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to provide evidence supporting claims that he collected ₦50 million to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to a report by AIF Media, the lawmaker was reacting to a Facebook post by Governor Soludo’s spokesperson, Amb. Adichie Izuchukwu, who alleged that Ikediorji and three other lawmakers were “bought” by APC governorship candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, at ₦50 million each.
The spokesperson further claimed that the defectors had received an initial ₦30 million and were awaiting a ₦20 million balance after the November 8 election.
Governor Soludo also accused Ikediorji of recently demanding funds from him but being denied, which, he suggested, was the reason for the lawmaker’s support for Ukachukwu.
In his response, Ikediorji expressed shock at what he described as a false accusation emanating from the highest office in the state.
“I am shocked Mr. Governor sanctioned this publication that accused me of asking him for money. Coming from the highest office in the land, I need to set the record straight. I started supporting the governor freely without asking for kobo,” he said.
The lawmaker recalled how he once refused to carry out a press conference instigated by his former boss on a chieftaincy dispute, which strained their relationship, yet he never collected money for his political loyalty.
He further queried the credibility of the allegations, insisting that if evidence could be provided to prove he ever demanded money from Governor Soludo, he would resign from office.
“If the above never happened, how can the highest office in the land lie against the office that has given them every support to succeed? Please find a way to withdraw your false information and allow me do what I think is the right thing in peace,” he declared.
The development comes amid heightened political activities in Anambra as the APC intensifies its campaign for the November governorship election.
