APGA Ezenagu-Ochendo Mgbakwu, Okonkwo-New Awka North Boss Deny Collecting Money

One of the Political Leaders of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Awka North local government area Chief Godson Ezenagu yesterday denied ever engaging in any agreement with anybody orally or documented concerning Chairmanship slot of Awka North.  

Ezenagu who was the former Commissioner for Agriculture in the state said the rumnour should be discarded as he was never part of the agreement adding that the new Chairman of the local government Chief Cosmos Okonkwo will perform in office as he has the requisite experiences needed for public office.

This is coming as the new Chairman of Awka North local government , Chief Cosmos Okonkwo insisted that he collected no money from any Aspirant to step down for him or her and never entered any agreement with anybody in first instance signed or unsigned.

He however appealed to all aggrieved Aspirants to subject themselves to party discipline and loyalty by joining forces with him in moving the council area forward as the party has the final say on issues of candidate for election.

For Chief Godson Ezenagu , he said "I feel happy. I am delighted. We need
power change in the polity of Awka-north local government area. The
local governmentt has suffered a lot from selfish individuals who ran its
affairs in accordance to their selfish ambition, pride and dictate of
their godfathers.
‘’However, these newly sworn-in elected Chairman and his legislators
are far from such. They are fulfilled, educated, selfless,
visionaries; endowed with wisdom and knowledge to move us forward.

‘’Chief Okonkwo is educated, so his wife also. He is an oil magnet and
first to have established filling station in the local community which is now
his area of jurisdiction. Aside that, he resides in his home town,
Isuanaocha. So, he is loaded with experiences needed for the job.
Gone are the days of godfatherism. In the past, they decided those at
helm of our affairs, direct their footsteps. It had impeded our
development.

‘’Therefore, I am charging our new Chairman and Councilors to be
selfless, so as to bring about massive human and infrastructural
development herein. Treat everyone as your brothers and sister
irrespective of party affiliation. The constituency needs must
overshadow all other aspirations and interest".

Reacting on allegations that he imposed Chief Okonkwo against the
wishes of the people of Awka-North, Chief Ezenagu distanced
himself from the allegation, noting that: "In our local government,
you know there are three camps herein. But three people contested primaries internally with Chief Cosmos in my camp. We voted, and Okonkwo won, and I
presented him to our party. Educationists, Academia, all
professionals endorsed him".

He said that: " I am not aware of any exchange of money between the
winner and the aggrieved Persons on or after the election. If I was
briefed, I couldn't have presented him. Also, let me tell you that the
allegation is unfounded, mendacious and fallacious. Our people should
disregard such as well because, when I heard about the exchange of money issue I was about looking for a way out before my name was later dragged to it.
They said I signed a document to that effect which is a lie as well. I
signed no document to force someone to step down. Let them show me the
document. I have requested for it, unfortunately, they could not
present it".

On his part, the Chairman of Awka-north Local Government Area, Chief Cosmos Okonkwo said: "I am very excited. I will deliver on my mandate. My plans for
the council is enormous and I shall unveil them soonest".

On the allegations that he collected money from another APGA Aspirant to step down for him, Okonkwo said: "that is their own cup of tea. I collected no money from none. They are just manufacturing the lies to woo public sympathy. I have explained to the people of my constituency that nothing as such ever happened. People should investigate the matter.

 If it was true, our party stakeholders could
have intervened to resolve it because they have the best way of
solving such problems in our local way.

‘’In fact, how much they said they gave me?.... Do you think 1.5 million
naira is enough to bribe me out of the race? An oil magnet like me?
Would the money cater for my needs, election ticket and expenses? What
does it count for? Even 20 million naira cannot settle me. Let them
go to court with their forged document or cease circulating it
forthwith because, I will go to court, if I get hold of it", Okonkwo concluded.