By Cyril Okeke
Whilst the PDP are yet to recover from the massive negative fall-out of their fractured Flag-off campaign in Onitsha early in the week, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Flag-off scheduled for the same venue today is already mired in controversy over cash-crunch due to non-release of money to the party’s gubernatorial candidate by the national officers of APC thus throwing plans in disarray.
A highly reliable source within the party who do not wish to be named confirmed the development, describing it as a result of lack of trust amongst the campaign team and lack of transparency that has been the bane of the plans for the Anambra campaign. Revealing the worrying state of affair within the APC ranks in Anambra, the source said that Hon Tony Nwoye, in a desperate face saving move has gone to borrow the sum of N19million Naira from the Onitsha Main market to save the day. The money is said to have been facilitated with close associates with properties and land documents traded-in to ensure release of the funds.
On the position of Nwoye over the development, the source stated: “You needed to have seen Tony this morning. He is angry and desperate and pleading for the APC national campaign to trust him for once. Borrowing from Main Market was a last resort to save the day.” He asserted.
Further investigation into the matter revealed that the national campaign team does not trust Hon Tony Nwoye to disburse the money as planned, hence they want to handle. Even Nwoye’s major sponsor and well-known philanthropist, Chief Engr. Arthur Eze has not been seen or heard from since the latest development which is threatening the already scheduled rally.
Political observers and party insiders, who were approached for comment on the unfolding APC flag-off drama, expressed no surprise at the development. An APC chieftain and resident of Onitsha, Chief Ben Okonkwo has this to say: “Please spare me the agony. Since the party brought out that young man, I knew that they are not serious. How can they tell Anambrarians to change designer’s suit for mere okirika?
It is feared that the cash crunch may have worsened the APC challenges in organizing a successful flag-off against the background of desertion by many party big wigs who already concluded that their chances in the November elections is highly limited.
