I Did Not Collect N2bn From Tinubu, Says Akpanudoedehe

Former national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Akwa Ibom State, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, yesterday denied collecting N2billion from Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, while running as the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011.

Besides, the former minister of state for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), dismissed allegation that he sold the APC to the current governorship candidate, Obong Akanimo Udofia, before migrating to pick the NNPP governorship ticket, describing such untoward remarks as borne out of hatred by mischief makers.

Addressing supporters, ward leaders and stakeholders while on street – to – street tour of Uyo, the state capital ahead of the February 25 and March 11 polls, Akpanudoedehe, who had been accused of being a serial betrayer in every election year, rained curses on the perpetrators of such falsehood, praying God Almighty to visit them and their families with His wrath, if he had ever betrayed his people and supporters for cash.

Speaking at the Uyo Ward 2, along Eka Street, the former Uyo local government chairman, also rained curses on those who labelled him as a traitor against his Uyo people, by alleging he (Akpanudoedehe) had collected money from governor Udom Emmanuel, to trade-off his mandate to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for cash, and thereafter, abandoned the people.

“If I had ever collected N2 billion from Tinubu, in 2011; If I had ever collected money from Akan Udofia, to sell APC, or Udom Emmanuel, let God punish me and my family, but if the reverse is the case, let God punish them and their family,” he prayed.

While urging the people to disregard and discountenance such politically-motivated lies aimed at blackmailing him, Senator Akpanudoedehe, who had been craving to rule the state since 2011, said he is on a mission to bring a new narrative in the governance process in the state and appealed to the people to be in the vanguard of a new era under NNPP in the state.

Accusing the ruling PDP administration of borrowing about N400 billion so far, the immediate past Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) Board member, alleged that large chunk of the cash had been earmarked for the prosecution of the elections and warned voters against being swayed by the allure of cash to mortgage their conscience.

“Many of you don’t really know how to find out something, it’s not hidden, go and Google it, and you will find the record from the Debt Management Office (DMO),” he said.

He assured that when voted to power with over 240,000 votes from Uyo, and others across the 31 LGAs, he would give the state capital and environs a new look, through a deliberate urban renewal scheme with dualised roads, modern sewage system, job creation and security.