N50m Allegation: I Joined APC on Principle, Not Monetary Inducement — Anambra Lawmaker

Hon. Onyekachukwu Augustine Ike, member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Nnewi North constituency

By Mokwugwo Solomon, Awka

Hon. Onyekachukwu Augustine Ike, member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Nnewi North constituency, has dismissed rumors claiming he received a hefty fifty million naira (N50m) before joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the November 8 state election.

In an interview at his Nnewi North constituency office on Monday, the lawmaker stated that the report alleging that each of the four lawmakers who defected to APC was paid fifty million naira is a fabricated falsehood designed to tarnish their reputations.

He said that his decision to join the APC was based on principle, not monetary inducement.

“I did not receive a single kobo to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress. The allegation that I collected fifty million naira to join the party and support its governorship candidate is a falsehood from the pit of hell. I joined the party on principle,

“I was inundated with calls alleging I collected N50m from the APC candidate to support his governorship bid. Most of those spreading this rumor are from the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). They claim I was given N50m before joining APC. Everyone knows I was elected into the state assembly under the platform of the Young Progressive Party (YPP). When I was elected, no one knew I was affiliated with YPP because I was strongly supporting Governor Soludo, who is of APGA.

“Governor Soludo approached me and requested my support, offering something in return, but I did not make any personal requests. I told the governor to prioritize building roads in Nnewi and to provide a capital project for the constituency.

“When I supported the governor and his policies, people claimed Soludo gave me N50m to buy my support. I challenged those peddling this falsehood to provide evidence, but none could. Today, I have officially joined APC to support its governorship candidate, and again, they say I collected N50m to join the party. They allege that Soludo refused to pay me, so I collected the money from the APC candidate instead.

“I challenged them again to provide proof, and no one could. Some even called me secretly, admitting that their media handlers did not get authorization before publishing that information.

“If I had collected N50m, there would be proof. APGA would have been the first to spread it on social media—but they have none, just as they had no proof when they accused me of receiving N50m to support Soludo.”he said.

Hon. Ike, chairman of the Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Sports and Youth Development, expressed surprise that while he supported Governor Soludo, no one from his constituency questioned his performance. However, now that he has joined APC, constituents are demanding to see his achievements over the past two years.

“I have continued to implement constituency projects quietly, without seeking publicity or posing for photos. Unlike many lawmakers, I have not missed a single plenary sitting in the past two years, except for a recent absence due to a critical political engagement in Abuja. I have been the most punctual lawmaker in the current Anambra State House of Assembly.

“I have spent millions of naira paying school fees for students at both secondary and tertiary levels, and I have settled hospital bills for hundreds of indigent persons in my constituency. Numerous small businesses owned by constituents continue to survive because of our support,” he added.

The lawmaker attributed these efforts to the overwhelming support he received from his constituents during his campaign.

According to him, many, including market women, the late Senator Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah, and even people unfamiliar with him personally, contributed millions of naira toward his election.

Regarding the prospects of the APC and its candidate in the November 8 Anambra election, Hon. Ike affirmed that APC is well-positioned to win and govern the state effectively, regardless of negative perceptions.

“They only give the party a bad name here, but behind the scenes, they are romancing with the APC, seeking support from its stakeholders. Name any prominent figure in Anambra or the Southeast who is not in APC—including Governor Charles Soludo. Soludo himself is in APC. APGA has no presidential candidate; Soludo and his party are fully backing Tinubu and APC. So, what is wrong with me supporting the APC candidate? We are all in APC!

“They keep talking about Ukachukwu’s certificate, forgetting that the same man they criticize runs successful business empires. Ukachukwu will govern Anambra successfully if elected,” he said.

The lawmaker also criticized Governor Soludo’s handling of security issues. He noted that during Governor Willie Obiano’s administration, Anambrarians were able to hold ceremonies in Awka and various communities across Anambra; but currently, such events have shifted to Asaba in Delta State.

On the continued detention of some native doctors—who allegedly encourage a get-rich-quick syndrome among Anambra youths—Hon. Ike acknowledged that the governor’s concerns may be partially valid but argued that the approach to dealing with the native doctors is flawed. He pointed out that criminal activities such as kidnapping, armed robbery, and violent crimes have persisted months after the arrests.

When asked why he shifted support from Governor Soludo to Ukachukwu, despite Soludo’s educational background and track record, Hon. Ike responded:

“Come November 8, I will not vote based on degrees. I will vote for the person I believe will fight insecurity so that I, my family, and all Anambrarians can sleep peacefully. It’s not all about degrees; it’s about having a governor who understands governance and how it works.

“In the Western world, when selecting leaders, they look for technocrats and successful businesspeople, not just professors. How many governors or presidents in the United States are professors?”