The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been embroiled in an alleged bribery scandal, with stakeholders claiming that a governorship aspirant within the party attempted to bribe the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) with $3 million.
The spokesperson of Anambra APC Stakeholders Forum, Chief Hyacinth Okonkwo, during a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, alleged that the aspirant sought to influence the NWC to adopt indirect primaries for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Anambra State.
Chief Okonkwo alleged that the aspirant boasted about securing the support of the APC NWC due to the illicit funds.
We have received credible intelligence that a certain governorship aspirant within our party has attempted to subvert internal democracy by offering a staggering $3 million bribe to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC in a bid to impose indirect primaries for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Anambra State.
“This desperate move is aimed at rigging the process in his favor, manipulating party structures, and denying the people of Anambra the opportunity to choose their candidate freely and fairly.
“This individual, in his arrogance, has boasted openly that the APC NWC is now on his side due to the illicit funds he has deployed. The National Chairman will not conduct any delegate election but will use his delegate list to deliver him as the Governorship candidate of APC.
“Even more disturbing is the fact that he attempted to lobby and bribe the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to secure her endorsement for his corrupt scheme. We commend the First Lady for her principled stance in rejecting all offers and standing firmly for justice, transparency, and the rule of law.
He condemned the alleged actions, stating that they undermine the integrity of the APC and the democratic process, while emphasizing that the party must not become a platform where money determines leadership.
“We insist that such an aspirant should be disqualified immediately from the race, as his actions are a direct affront to the integrity of the APC and the democratic principles that our great party stands for,” Okonkwo said.
The AASF spokesman called on the APC National Leadership, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and party members to ensure that the primaries in Anambra State are conducted transparently, through a direct or consensus process that reflects the true will of party members.
The forum warned that any attempt to impose indirect primaries as a result of corrupt inducement would be resisted by party members and the people of Anambra.
“We urge all genuine aspirants to engage in issue-based campaigns rather than resorting to criminal acts of bribery and electoral fraud.
“The APC must not become a party where money determines leadership—integrity, competence, and the will of the people must always prevail”, he said.
As of press time, the APC NWC and the accused aspirant have not publicly responded to the allegations.
