Enugu Elections: How Ex-Minister Nwodo, Edeoga Used Fake Promises To Scam People

…..Promise Rev. Frs SSG, Commissionership Positions, Others

From Kamsi Ugwudele

Following the loss of Enugu State governorship seat to Bar. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, more revelations and disclosures on how former Minister, Chief John Nnia Nwodo (jnr ) his elder sister’s son-in-law and Labour Party governorship candidate, Bar Chijioke Edeoga used empty and fake promises, assurances and phantom political appointments to swindle people of their monies and unflinching loyalty and support have been made.

One of the top leaders in the Enugu State Labour Party Campaign Council, who is very angry over the loss of the governorship election, who pleaded anonymity revealed that before the election, Nwodo and Edeoga assured their members of victory in the governorship election.

“Bragging in one of our late night clandestine meetings with them at Nwodo’s residence in GRA Enugu after the National Assembly elections which Labour Party won overwhelmingly, riding on the bandwagon effect of Mr. Peter Obi’s presidential ambition and the direct involvement of the Catholic clergymen in the campaign for Labour Party especially in Enugu North Senatorial zone, Nwodo and Edeoga told us point-blank that they had perfected plans with the backing of the powers- that- be on how they will use military and security personnel, compromise INEC and subdue PDP members to pave way for Labour Party victory in the governorship election.

“In the meeting which lasted till the wee hours and had some Catholic priests in attendance, Nwodo and Edeoga promised one of the Reverend Fathers the position of SSG and gave others Commissionership positions and Board Chairmanship slots.

“Some people from Enugu State especially Enugu North Senatorial zone, who came for the meeting from Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt were asked to raise funds for the prosecution of the election with assurance that they will be rewarded with lucrative contracts and nomination of appointees into Edeoga’s government after the elections.

“More than N300 million was raised in cash and pledges that night. A Zenith Bank account with the name Esso Associates Ltd, which had Nwodo and Edeoga as signatories was provided for raising the funds.

“Many of us were surprised and shocked since after the election, having discovered that Edeoga and Nwodo promised many people the same thing to fleece them of their monies and retain their loyalty and support for Edeoga’s governorship ambition,” the top Labour Party Campaign Council member revealed.

Corroborating his revelations of deceits, fake and multiple promises to different people to extort money from them for campaign and personal use, a Port Harcourt based businessman from Nsukka who spoke anonymously lamented how he was brainwashed by Nwodo to contribute N60 million to the project with assurance that Edeoga will win the election.

“I have been calling Nwodo since after the elections and he has been avoiding my calls. I will soon go after him to recover my money. This is not what I discussed and agreed with him before I contributed the money.

“He told me that even President Buhari, former Heads of State namely Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdusalami Abubakar were behind Edeoga and that his victory was certain. He even put me in a WhatsApp conference call with General Victor Ezeugwu from Ukehe, the same town with Nwodo, who assured me that all the security personnel will work towards Edeoga’s victory on that day. That was how and why I contributed such huge money,” the businessman disclosed.

Speaking in the same vein, a Catholic priest from Enugu North Senatorial zone, who is privy to the promise, Nwodo and Edeoga made to one Rev.Fr. Ben Agbo disclosed that apart from Rev. Agbo, many of his colleagues were promised the same positions and patronages.

“Many of them are presently regretting their fanatical support and loyalty to Edeoga’s governorship ambition, having realised since after the election that many of them were promised the same positions by Nwodo and Edeoga.

“These Labour Party leaders especially Nwodo and Edeoga are fraudulent. Why should they promise more than two people one position? Why the desperation and subterfuges? Are they saying that this is how they will lead Enugu State had it been that Edeoga won? This is very dangerous of them.,” the priest averred.

Investigations revealed that immediately the Labour Party governorship candidate, Bar. Edeoga lost the election, Nwodo called a meeting of the Enugu Labour Party’s social media hirelings especially those of them from Nsukka and urged them to constantly fabricate all sorts of falsehoods and campaign of calumny against Bar. Mbah and his electoral victory to see if they can discredit him before the collection of his certificate of return from INEC and swearing- in on May 29, 2023.