Former Commissioner for Finance in Abia State, Dr. Aham Uko, has accused Chief Charles Ogbonnaya of resorting to what he described as a campaign of calumny after allegedly failing in his “libations” against Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, insisting that the latest allegations linking him to the purported sale of government-donated palliative rice are false, malicious and politically motivated.
Dr. Uko’s reaction followed the circulation of a viral video in which Ogbonnaya allegedly accused him of helping his brother-in-law, Rt. Hon. Obinna Aguocha, member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, sell two trailer-loads of rice purportedly provided by the Federal Government as palliatives following the removal of fuel subsidy.
In a statement refuting the allegation, Dr. Uko categorically denied any involvement in the alleged sale, describing the claim as a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation.
The retired offshore Managing Director of United Bank for Africa Plc said he did not know whether the Federal Government had allocated rice to National Assembly members for distribution to their constituents. Although he had seen Aguocha distributing bags of rice, he maintained that he was unaware of their source.
Uko also cited his longstanding humanitarian activities, explaining that since 2005, he had personally funded the distribution of rice, groundnut oil, tomatoes and other food items to widows, orphans and other vulnerable people in his community during Christmas.
He alleged that the accusations were connected to his recent appointment as the Umuahia North Coordinator of Governor Otti’s re-election campaign, arguing that they were intended to diminish his standing among members of the public.
The controversy reportedly stems from a video circulated on social media, featuring Ogbonnaya addressing a political gathering associated with the Mandate 27 Group.
Uko said he had instructed his lawyers to take appropriate legal action if Ogbonnaya and those responsible failed to retract the publication and apologise within seven days.
From Failed Libations Against Alex Otti To Rice Scandal: Aham Uko Accuses Charles Ogbonnaya Of Political Vendetta
