The South-East chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the alleged diversion of ₦800 billion campaign funds against the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, as spurious and baseless.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the party said Uzodimma remained committed to good governance, sustainable development and improved welfare for the people of Imo State.
This was contained in a statement signed by the APC National Vice-Chairman, South-East, Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, on Wednesday.
The APC said the allegation was politically motivated, especially following Uzodimma’s reported interest in contesting the Imo East senatorial seat in 2027.
“Uzodimma remains unwavering in his commitment to delivering good governance, sustainable development, and improved welfare for the people of Imo, and will not be distracted by such baseless accusations,” the statement read.
The party said it had observed what it described as a campaign of blackmail since the governor indicated interest in returning to the Senate.
It added, “While every Nigerian has the right of opinion, that should not be a justification to blackmail a citizen who is exercising his constitutional right.”
Uzodimma had been accused of diverting ₦800bn allegedly contributed by members of the Progressive Governors Forum for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
But the APC South-East described the claim as “factually incorrect and logically untenable,” saying no formal campaign fund had been established since electioneering had not commenced.
“With the legal restriction on political campaigns still in force until September, it is practically impossible to divert or misappropriate resources for an exercise that has neither started nor reached any stage requiring funding,” it said.
The party also maintained that the Progressive Governors Forum was not a campaign organisation and could not warehouse funds meant for a presidential campaign.
APC Questions ₦800bn Claim
On the alleged ₦800bn, the party said the figure was unrealistic, as it would mean each of the 31 APC governors contributed about ₦26bn.
“This figure is not only unrealistic but laughable. No governor, regardless of political affiliation, would commit such a colossal sum to a national campaign while simultaneously prosecuting re-election or other critical state-level political activities,” it stated.
The APC said Uzodimma had maintained a record of transparency and accountability in public office and had not been credibly linked to financial impropriety.
It urged opposition figures to focus on credible policy alternatives and solutions instead of what it called fictitious propaganda.
“Nigerians are sophisticated enough to distinguish between genuine governance and cheap political fiction,” the party added.