Soludo denies spending N3.5b to procure majority in Anambra State Assembly

Michael Ovat- Awka

Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has denied media reports that he spent about N3.5 billion in last Saturday’s election to procure majority seats for his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state’s House of Assembly.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE gathered that the Chairman Board of Trustees of a rights group, International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), Mr Emeka Umeagbalasi had prior to the Saturday poll accused Soludo of using the state’s fund of up to N3.5bn to influence voters in the state, which he (Umeagbalasi) said was shared to various stakeholders in the state for disbursement, accordingly.

Reacting to the development on Monday, the press secretary to the governor, Mr. Christian Aburime, described the allegation as satanic, baseless, despicable and illogical.

Aburime said, “The attention of the Government of Anambra State has been drawn to a false publication being peddled in some sections of the media bordering on the above headline.

“The satanic report alleging that Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo-led administration spent a whopping 3.5 billion naira to execute the State House of Assembly election is not only untrue but highly despicable and illogical.

“The allegation is further baseless against the background that it is coming at a time of acute shortage of cash due to the Federal Government Naira Redesign Policy which sadly exposes the devilish intentions of the writer(s).

“Ndi Anambra are advised to disregard the non-existent International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) who made the said allegations. The people behind this organization have been known to be serial blackmailers over the years who do not serve any useful purpose to society.

“Governor Soludo does not need to buy votes to win the election. He is a Democrat who enjoys the overwhelming support of the good people of Anambra State.

“The bogus claims by the author(s) are figments of their imagination and should be disregarded by Ndi Anambra and the general public.”