In a harrowing narrative of betrayal and adversity, Anthony Amalu, the former personal assistant to Hon. Stainless Nwodo, has disclosed the personal sacrifices he made in support of his friend’s political aspirations, only to find himself in dire financial straits.
Tony Amalu, recognised for his integrity and dedication, recounted how he forsook his family and a flourishing business in Abuja to galvanise grassroots support for Nwodo, who ascended from a struggling estate agent to secure the Labour Party nomination for the House of Representatives seat for the Igbo-Etiti/Uzouwani Federal Constituency.
“I risked everything, my family, my business, and even my safety, to ensure Stainless Nwodo’s victory,” Amalu remarked. He sold his car, borrowed money, and organised fundraising initiatives, all while campaigning in a landscape riddled with insecurity.
Despite Nwodo’s eventual triumph, Amalu felt abandoned. Following the election, he devoted himself to establishing Nwodo’s relevance among his peers, forming a media team and linking him with influential figures. However, his efforts went unacknowledged.
The situation deteriorated when Nwodo became embroiled in a certificate forgery scandal. Amalu recalled, “He instructed some of us, his aides, to rally contractors to contribute funds for his court case, with the promise of constituency project contracts as compensation. We raised millions, but instead of using the money for the case, he diverted it to buy properties in Abuja.” After the court delivered a guilty verdict against Nwodo, Amalu found himself the target of disgruntled contractors demanding refunds.
Amalu’s financial woes intensified when Nwodo sold a property for N137 million but refused to pay him the agreed 5% agency fee. “He threatened me instead, using his contacts in the police force. I became bankrupt, unable to cater to my family or pay my children’s school fees,” he lamented.
In his appeal for assistance, Amalu highlighted recent actions by Nwodo, including the sale of over 100 bags of rice donated for flood relief, conducted without consulting the affected constituents. He also expressed disillusionment over Nwodo’s failure to honour a promise to compensate him after receiving substantial funds for a contract with TETFUND, stating that instead of paying him, Nwodo boasted about his connections and issued threats.
Amalu is now seeking support from well-meaning Nigerians, including prominent figures such as Chief Nnia Nwodo, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and Governor Peter Mbah, as well as an investigation by the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies. “My life and business have been torn apart. Stainless Nwodo is relocating to Canada while I am in ruins,” he declared. Amalu’s sole demand is for Nwodo to pay him the N6.5 million agency fee, which he hopes will enable him to rebuild his life.
Efforts to contact Hon. Nwodo for reactions on the issues raised by his former personal assistant were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to messages sent to his known mobile lines via WhatsApp and SMS.
