Anambra State Governor, Soludo
Anambra State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Chief Patrick Aghadinuno Mba, has dismissed allegations of financial impropriety and maladministration against the immediate past chairmen of Onitsha North and Onitsha South Local Government Areas, describing them as politically motivated attempts to damage their reputations.
Mba stated this while speaking with journalists at the palace of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, during the monarch’s 24th Ofala Festival.
The commissioner defended the former chairmen, Hon. Tony Nweze Nwora of Onitsha North and Hon. Emeka Joseph Orji of Onitsha South, insisting that both men served their respective local government areas diligently and contributed to the welfare of their constituents.
According to him, the allegations against the former council bosses are unfounded and intended to discredit them, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
Nwora, who is the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for the Onitsha North and South Federal Constituency seat in the forthcoming election, was reportedly invited by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of financial impropriety.
However, Mba maintained that an invitation by an anti-corruption agency should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of wrongdoing, stressing that such agencies are empowered by law to question individuals over matters relating to the management of public funds.
He argued that public officeholders, both serving and former, could be invited by agencies such as the ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to provide clarification on issues under investigation.
The commissioner further insisted that Nwora should not be presumed guilty merely because he was invited by the commission, adding that, according to him, the former chairman had not been found culpable.
Mba also defended Orji, whose administration came under criticism after a video circulated online showing him being booed at the Onitsha South Local Government Secretariat over allegations of poor governance and maladministration.
He described the incident as part of a possible campaign to discredit political opponents, alleging that some individuals exploit social media platforms and content creators to undermine their rivals during election periods.
The commissioner maintained that Orji discharged his responsibilities accountably and urged the public not to accept allegations circulated online without establishing the facts.
He concluded that the allegations against the two former council chairmen should be viewed with caution, warning against the use of political rivalry to tarnish the reputations of individuals who have served in public office.
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