_ as group raise alarm over plot to divert voter intervention fund
By Nkoli Eneh
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Imo State chapter, has gotten messier over plot by some leaders of the party to divert funds provided for voter intervention ahead of Saturday, February 25th general election.
A group under the auspices of Coalition of *Support Atiku-Okowa 2023 Project* made this revelation during a press conference in Owerri and therefore demanded for the probe of Chief Emeka Ihedioha, Barr Charles Ezekwem and five others over what they described as plot to pilfer voter intervention funds meant for the state.
According to the convener of the Support Group, Chief Charles Amadikwa, "our members stumbled into a meeting convened at the instance of Chief Emeka Ihedioha at his Owerri residence.
"Part of the resolution reached at the meeting was that 30% of the voter intervention fund will be disbursed to various LGAs in the state while 70% of the funds released to Imo shall be banked exclusively to bankroll Ihedioha's Governorship primaries in the month of April later this year.
"Our source who attended the meeting gathered that party leaders present at the meeting concluded that Atiku Abubakar will not garner up to 20% votes even if they disburse the entire funds released to them, hence the need to reserve some funds.
"We call on the Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Vice Presidential Candidate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and the National Campaign Management Committee of PDP to immediately halt disbursement of funds for Imo and set up inquiry to investigate the allegation against Ihedioha and his associates immediately for want of time.
"It is of public knowledge that Ihedioha is making several efforts to access PDP Presidential Campaign funds meant for Imo state with the motive to retire the funds primarily for his age long Governorship aspiration.
"We also have it on good authority that Account details of some party leaders across the 27 LGAs in the state had already been forwarded awaiting to be credited with the agreed funds for voter intervention.
"It was learnt that the criteria for disbursement of election fund, the Campaign Council Chairman and Director General of Imo PCC, a Senatorial Candidate and a House of Representatives Candidate will be present before funds are released to each state.
We also have in good authority that for Ihedioha to gain full access to the election fund, he has forwarded names of Uche Onyeaguocha and Hon Jonas Okeke to represent candidates of the party from Imo State.
"Ihedioha should be queried, he is not interested in the Presidential election of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar but only been deceitful as he pretends to be working for the party's candidate.
All efforts to get reaction from Ihedioha's media aide, Chibuike Onyeukwu proved abortive as call and SMS sent to his telephone line had not been replied at the time of filing this report.
Post a Comment