Anambra APC Exonerates Chairman, Says Expelled Member Is Peddling Falsehoods

Ansmbra State Chairman of APC, Senator Emma Anosike

The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday described allegations of misappropriation of funds levelled against its State Chairman, Senator Emma Anosike, by an expelled member of the party, Mr. Arinze Awogu, as laughable, baseless, and ridiculous.
The party further described Awogu as a drowning political actor seeking others to sink with him.
Awogu had accused Anosike of misappropriating party funds meant for the conduct of APC primary elections in the state.
Reacting to the allegations, the APC State Publicity Secretary, Sir Valentine Oliobi, in a statement, dismissed the claims as a bundle of lies, falsehoods, and deliberate misrepresentations aimed at tarnishing the image of the party leadership.
Oliobi described Awogu as an interloper who lacks the locus standi to interfere in the affairs of the party, having been expelled from the APC.
According to the party spokesman, Awogu is neither the Treasurer of the party nor has he ever held such a position, and therefore cannot lay claim to information or responsibilities that do not exist.
He stated that the duly elected State Treasurer of the APC in Anambra is Chief Izeh Vincent Okafor, a respected banker of high repute, and not Mr. Arinze Awogu.
According to Oliobi, Awogu has no standing to comment on APC internal affairs because he is no longer a member of the party, having been duly expelled in accordance with Article 21(5) of the All Progressives Congress Constitution, as amended.
He maintained that all funds contributed to the APC in Anambra State are properly managed and fully accounted for.
“It is worthy of note that the funds received by the party for congresses, conventions, meetings, and other party activities were utilized strictly for the purposes for which they were released, in accordance with the decisions of the appropriate organs of the party,” he stated.
He further noted that all party delegates officially invited to the South-East Zonal Convention and the National Convention received their entitlements accordingly.
“All delegates whose names appeared on the official lists for the zonal and national conventions received their entitlements. Even some persons who were not officially invited were equally compensated, notwithstanding the fact that such events are not open to all comers,” he said.
Oliobi reiterated that the APC in Anambra State remains united, cohesive, and focused, stressing that the allegations against the State Chairman would not create divisions within the party as intended by Awogu.
According to him, Senator Emma Anosike did not create any faction within the party as alleged by the expelled member.
“It is noteworthy that the duly recognized APC Chairman in Ogbaru Local Government Area is Mr. Arinze Nzeli, and he remains the party chairman in the council area to this day. Mr. Awogu sought to dominate and control Mr. Nzeli, who resisted such attempts. Consequently, he allegedly devised plans to remove Mr. Nzeli, despite the fact that he was duly elected through the party congresses as the Ogbaru Local Government Chairman,” he said.
The APC spokesman further described Awogu as delusional and intoxicated by power.
“He fought while in APGA because of money. He fought the founder of Ikemba Front because of money and allegedly hijacked the structure from him. Now, he is fighting the State Chairman of our great party over money, based on the allegations he has raised,” Oliobi stated.
He added that the APC Anambra State Chapter operates bank accounts with Zenith Bank and UBA to ensure transparency and accountability.
“For transparency and accountability, the APC Anambra State Chapter maintains accounts with Zenith Bank and UBA respectively, and the State Chairman cannot spend a dime without due process. Every expenditure must be supported by a voucher and duly approved before the State Treasurer can release funds for any programme or event,” he explained.
The party spokesman said the APC leadership in the state had full confidence in Senator Anosike and rejected all allegations levelled against him.
“On behalf of the All Progressives Congress, Anambra State Chapter, we wish to exonerate our amiable and focused State Chairman, Distinguished Senator Emma Obiajulu Anosike, from all the allegations contained in the deceptive publication orchestrated to malign the hard-earned reputation of a former member of the House of Representatives and former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who continues to dedicate himself to the growth and development of APC in Anambra State,” he stated.
Oliobi also warned Awogu against further actions capable of bringing the party into disrepute.
“We warn Mr. Arinze Awogu to desist from his habitual acts of misconduct and unfounded accusations and to face his personal affairs, failing which he may be compelled to answer to the law,” he warned.