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Imo governor denies bribing lawmakers to defect

By Innocent Anoruo (Lagos) and Collins Osuji (Owerri)
24 January 2020   |   4:10 am
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma has denied bribing any House of Assembly member in the state to defect to his party.

Police arrest suspected killers of councillor
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma has denied bribing any House of Assembly member in the state to defect to his party.

His Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Oguwike Nwachuku, told The Guardian yesterday that the lawmakers willingly joined the APC, with the conviction that the new governor meant well for the state.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governor edged out Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as governor of the Eastern Heartland through a Supreme Court verdict on January 14, which sparked off protests across the country.

“It is not true. The governor did not and could not have bribed any one. Why would he do such a thing?

“The defecting lawmakers have seen the truth and they decided willingly to follow their consciences. It would be unfair for anyone to resort to use of the wilful defection of the lawmakers to blackmail His Excellency,” said the CPS.

Before the Court judgement, APC had no member in the Assembly. But on Tuesday, nine lawmakers, including three PDP members, joined the governor in the APC.

Following the cross-carpeting, there were insinuations, especially in the social media, that money had exchanged hands in Imo.

A report specifically put the amount used for the ‘bribe’ at N4 billion.

But the CPS responded, “Besides, do you know what is N4 billion? Imo lawmakers have come to terms with the reality that Governor Hope Uzodinma means well for the state and that his regime is going to restore hope to the good people of Imo, and they have no choice than to be part of the history to bring prosperity to the people.”

Meanwhile, the state police command has arrested Sabinus Osuji (46) and Uzondu Gogo (40) for allegedly killing Maduabuchukwu Ahamefuna (26), who until his death was a councillor in Isu Council of the state.

Briefing newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Owerri, yesterday, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Bolaji Fafowora, said the arrest of the suspects followed intelligence by operatives of the command.

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