Umeh Denies Demanding  N500m to Support Soludo

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Former National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA), and Anambra Central senatorial candidate of Labour Party (LP), Sen. Victor Umeh, has said there is no truth in the rumours that he demanded N500million to support the Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, in the last governorship election.

Umeh was speaking during the inauguration of the state executive of Senator Victor Umeh Solidarity Network (VUSON) at the weekend, a support group, rooting for his emergence as a senator.

Umeh had dumped APGA, after he was denied the senatorial ticket of the party in what has been said to be a grand conspiracy among the leadership of the state, and the party.

Umeh said his opponents in the senatorial contest are jittery, and have resorted to all manner of propaganda against him.

 According to him, “I was at Okpuno, where someone told me he heard something about me and felt he must enquire from me.” 

“He said he was told by Senator Uche Ekwunife that I demanded to be paid N500million before I could work for Soludo in the last election.

“But that is not true. I never demanded any money to work for Soludo, instead, I used my funds to work for him, even as his campaign director in the last election.

“I even met some of my friends who donated money to Soludo because of my influence. So, it was Soludo who made money from me instead.”

The former lawmaker lamented that his opponents were dishing out propaganda against him just to whittle down his influence ahead of the forthcoming election.

He said: “Recently too, there was a voice note that circulated on the internet that I was  caught with a married woman, and that I paid money to the woman’s husband to avoid being exposed. All these are propaganda targeted at me.

“I’m happy that despite all these, my supporters have stood firmly behind me. I thank the executive of Victor Umeh Solidarity Network (VUSON). When I was told that some people were mobilising to support me, I demanded to meet you, but I was told that you didn’t want to meet me yet, until you’re done mobilising.

“That is very rare in our clime, where people even ask you to bankroll the organisation. After your inauguration today, I charge you to move into the grassroots, and let’s begin to mobilise support.”