Enugu 2023 Guber: Claims Odengene Received N2bn From Ugwuanyi ‘A Malicious Deception, Elaborate Hoax’- DG

Okey Ezirigwe, the Director General of Odengene Peoples Movement (OPM), has described as “malicious deception and an elaborate hoax” reports that their principal, Captain Evarest Nnaji, popularly known as Odengene was given the sum of two billion Naira by the Governor of Enugu State, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Ezirigwe said their principal is a man of impeccable character and not like desperate fellows “who in their quest for power, would betray trust or compromise integrity for a high bidder. He is not a transactional politician and will never make himself available to be used for negative political schemes, deceitful manipulation, or treachery at any price or at the expense of his long built good name and reputation.”

In a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday, the DG said Odengene has embarked on multi billion Naira corporate Individual social responsibility projects and doesn’t have any business with the Governor, thus, didn’t receive any money from him nor anyone working for him, stressing that Captain Nnaji “does not need Governor Ugwuanyi’s financial support or any form of patronage, to pursue his political aspirations, he is financially viable and fortunately blessed by God whom he serves.”

The statement reads:

The attention of Odengene peoples Movement was few weeks ago, drawn to a deliberate falsehood claiming that our Principal, Capt. Evarest Nnaji, received the sum of two billion Naira from the Enugu state Governor, Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for who knows what. 

We had all along ignored this piece of cruel hoax and ridiculous falsehood aimed at deceiving the people and discrediting our Principal in the hope that time and events, as they unfold, would expose the lies and shame all those behind the misleading fabrication . 

We have realized, that at this time, silence is no longer golden, we are exposed to a band of clandestine schemers and desperadoes who will not stop the prevarication but would do anything to achieve their political aims, including assassination of the character and hard earned reputation of their perceived threat, Capt. Evarest Nnaji. 

Our principal, Capt. Nnaji, is an honourable gentleman man who is respected and admired for his self discipline and strong principles. He is not the desperate types who in their quest for power, would betray trust or compromise integrity for a high bidder. He is not a transactional politician and will NEVER make himself available to be used for negative political schemes, deceitful manipulation, or treachery at any price or at the expense of his long built good name and reputation . 

We wish to therefore debunk in strongest terms, this falsehood invented to deceive the public, impugn on the character and aspirations of our principal.

It should be noted, that aside the many corporate Individual social responsibility running into several billions of Naira executed by Capt. Evarest Nnaji in some rural communities within the state, including the 5.4km, comprehensively furnished, asphalted road he constructed for his Amugunze Community, he does not have any private business relationship with the person of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi that would warrant exchange of monies. Capt. Nnaji did not receive any money from the Governor or from anyone representing the Governor for any intent or for any purpose, he does not need Governor Ugwuanyi’s financial support or any form of patronage, to pursue his political aspirations, he is financially viable and fortunately blessed by God whom he serves. 

We therefore appeal to the general public, to disregard this falsehood generated by dishonest men in an underhand attempt to expose Nnaji to public distrust and achieved undue advantage for themselves . 

Finally, we wish to remind those peddling the falsehood against Capt. Evarest Nnaji, of the moral imperative, that a false witness shall not go unpunished and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. 

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour” (Exodus 20:16).