PDP chieftain Etose Dickson Imasogie demands a retraction from APC’s Andrew Enwanta over false claims of fraudulently receiving N40m

A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Etose Dickson Imasogie, has demanded a public apology from All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Andrew Enwanta over allegations that he fraudulently received ₦40 million from local government funds.

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Imasogie insists that the accusation, made on national television, is false and defamatory.

The claim stems from a report by a local government administrative panel set up by Governor Monday Okpebholo, which indicted several individuals, including former Governor Godwin Obaseki and other PDP leaders, for mismanagement and diversion of over ₦95 billion allocated to local governments.

The panel, led by Solomon Imohiosen, alleged that the sum was received by the 18 Local Government Chairmen through the Joint Allocation Account Committee (JAAC) over a specified period.

Among those listed in the report were Newman Ugiagbe, Chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Area and State Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), as well as Ahonsi Ogiegbaen Osifo, Eric Agbonmwanre, Abraham Burma, and Dickson Imasogie Notiemwenmwan.

However, Imasogie has strongly refuted the allegations, stating that the ₦40 million transferred to his account was a legitimate business payment for hiring tractors to grade earth roads across various local government areas in Edo State.

He emphasised that the transaction was not a political favour but a contractual agreement between his company and the council.

In a statement released by his media aide, John Osagie, Imasogie condemned Enwanta’s accusations, calling them a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation.

He has given Enwanta one week to retract the allegations and issue a public apology, warning that failure to do so will result in legal action.

“It is both shameful and ridiculous that Andrew Enwanta would go on national television to misrepresent the facts, falsely alleging that the funds were given to Etose Dickson Imasogie as a form of political patronage in his capacity as a PDP leader,” the statement read.

“This claim is not only baseless but also a deliberate attempt to smear his reputation.”