By Moses Okorie
A group of the All Progressives Congress, Anambra APC Stakeholders Forum, AASF, has said it has uncovered a bribery scandal by a governorship aspirant in the forthcoming Anambra State election and called for the disqualification of the affected person.
The group made this known in a press conference held on Tuesday, saying the particular aspirant attempted to bribe the National Working Committee of the APC in order for the party to use an indirect primary election in his favour.
They said the essence of the press conference is to address a grave issue that threatens the integrity of APC and the democratic process in Anambra State.
According to a speech delivered by chairman of the group, Chief Hycinth Okonkwo, “We have received credible intelligence that a certain governorship aspirant within our party has attempted to subvert internal democracy by offering a staggering $3 million bribe to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC in a bid to impose indirect primaries for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Anambra State.
“This desperate move is aimed at rigging the process in his favour, manipulating party structures, and denying the people of Anambra the opportunity to choose their candidate freely and fairly.
“This individual, in his arrogance, has boasted openly that the APC NWC is now on his side due to the illicit funds he has deployed. That the national chairman will not conduct any delegate election but will use his delegate list to deliver him as the governorship candidate of APC”.
The group also expressed concern that the said aspirant has attempted to lobby and bribe First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu in order to secure her endorsement, and insisted he must be disqualified from the contest.
Speaking further: “Even more disturbing is the fact that he attempted to lobby and bribe the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to secure her endorsement for his corrupt scheme. We commend the First Lady for her principled stance in rejecting all offers and standing firmly for justice, transparency, and the rule of law.
“The Anambra APC Stakeholders Forum categorically rejects these criminal tendencies and will not allow the soul of our party to be sold to the highest bidder. We insist that such an aspirant should be disqualified immediately from the race, as his actions are a direct affront to the integrity of the APC and the democratic principles that our great party stands for.
“We call on the APC National Leadership, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and all well-meaning members of our party to resist this attempted coup against democracy and ensure that the primaries in Anambra State are conducted transparently, through a direct or consensus process that reflects the true will of party members.
“It is worthy of note that this culprit is a very new entrant into the party and because of his fear of not getting the APC ticket has resorted to bribing his way in.
“Furthermore, we warn that any attempt to impose indirect primaries as a result of corrupt inducement will be vehemently resisted by party members and the good people of Anambra. We shall mobilize to ensure that Anambra APC does not become a playground for corruption and manipulation.
“In conclusion, we urge all genuine aspirants to engage in issue-based campaigns rather than resorting to criminal acts of bribery and electoral fraud. The APC must not become a party where money determines leadership—integrity, competence, and the will of the people must always prevail”.