A petition and publication claiming that Kelechi Madugba, the former acting state chairman of the Labour Party in Abia State, supports the actions of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra have been deemed false.
Madugba maintained that he is neither an IPOB sponsor nor an IPOB sympathiser in a statement provided to South East Punch in the state capital of Umuahia.
He went on to say that he has never dealt with any known IPOB member and does not know any members of the group.
Madugba insisted that the petition and publishing were fabricated, unfounded, and the work of his alleged political rivals.
The statement reads, “I was a former acting state chairman of the Labour Party in Abia State, a former candidate under the Accord Party for the House of Representatives, and a former candidate for the same position under the New Nigeria Peoples Party for Isialangwa North/South federal constituency in the last 2023 general elections.
“I am a successful businessman and a decent political personality who has held many public offices, including acting chairman of national political parties, and candidate of national political parties for the House of Representatives, among others.
“More so, I have contributed immensely as a community builder where I have fostered unity and progress above all for the development of my state and Nigeria as a whole because I strongly believe in One Nigeria.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I have herein published all my account details for anyone who cares to crosscheck if any of my accounts, both company and individual, has since the past seven years received any money capable of sponsoring a separatist movement such as IPOB.
“The accounts are as follows: Gemnka Limited – UBA: 1016522047/2063349124; First Bank Plc: 2023824579; Heritage Bank: 51002000759 and Ecobank: 1280005762.
“This public notice shall serve as my official/ public response to these baseless allegations. I have already instructed my team of lawyers to take necessary action for damages.
“I, therefore, urge members of the public to ignore and disregard the publication in its entirety.
“It is misleading and deliberately intended to smear my hard-earned reputation.
“I feel obliged to let those detractors know that I have paid my dues in wherever duty calls upon me in Nigeria both in the business sector as the CEO and Chairman of Gemka Oils and Gas Limited with engagement as director in other companies operating successful business here across the country and also in the political sector.”