The lawmaker representing Nnewi North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Augustine Onyekachukwu Ike, has refuted claims that he received ₦50 million to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
Speaking with journalists at his constituency office in Nnewi, Ike dismissed the allegations as unfounded and politically motivated, calling on those spreading the rumour to present evidence.
“This is not the first time such allegations have surfaced,” he said. “I challenge anyone making these claims to provide proof that I collected money. When I joined APGA in the past, similar rumours made the rounds. But I want to ask the governor — if he couldn’t offer me money to join his party, why would anyone else?”
Ike also weighed in on the political climate ahead of the Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 8, suggesting that Governor Charles Soludo could face significant challenges in his bid for a second term.
He noted that incumbency does not guarantee victory, citing past examples. “He who thinks he is standing should be careful, lest he falls,” the lawmaker warned. “If Soludo loses, it would not be the first time an incumbent governor has failed to win re-election. We saw that with Mbadinuju here in Anambra and even in Lagos State.”
Ike urged voters to evaluate candidates based on peace, security, and development rather than political affiliations or credentials. “If I were voting, I would look beyond qualifications. I would focus on the peace and security of the people and the level of development across the state,” he said.
