The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Owerri Municipal Local Government Area of Imo State is reportedly embroiled in a deepening crisis, with aggrieved party members, leaders and stakeholders threatening mass defection and petitions to the state government and anti-graft agencies over alleged financial impropriety, abuse of office and marginalisation during the recently concluded tenure of the council administration.
The crisis is said to have pitted the immediate past Chairman of Owerri Municipal Council, Builder Chidebere Emeribe, and former APC State Chairman, Dr. Macdonald Ebere, against the Commissioner for Tourism, Hon. Ernest Ibejiako; the General Manager of the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA), Engr. Frank Nzewodo; Special Adviser on Urban Development, Hon. CDB Williams; Special Adviser on OCDA, Prince Amanze Njemanze; the former Leader of the Council, Rt. Hon. Soromadi Justice Chiljioke; and a number of councillors and other party stakeholders.
Among those said to be backing the grievances are Chiefs Chris Oguoma and Evance Anozie, as well as other leaders, including non-indigenous stakeholders in the municipality.
The aggrieved members are reportedly preparing petitions to the Imo State Government, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other relevant agencies.
At the centre of the controversy are allegations concerning the management of council funds, proceeds from markets and toll collections, political appointments, welfare allocations and alleged absence of visible council projects during the two-year tenure.
The aggrieved stakeholders reportedly allege that no significant council project was executed in Owerri Municipal during the period, while accusing the leadership of allegedly using monthly street fumigation as a channel through which council allocations were expended.
Lock-up shops controversy
One of the major issues raised by the aggrieved stakeholders concerns the construction and sale of more than 180 lock-up shops at Nworie Lane.
According to the allegations, the shops were constructed under a contractor-financed arrangement in which the contractor was entitled to 60 per cent while the Municipal Council was to receive 40 per cent.
The shops were allegedly sold for about N19 million each.
The stakeholders claim that there has been no satisfactory evidence showing that the Municipal Council’s share of the proceeds was remitted into the council’s Treasury Single Account (TSA).
They further allege that none of the shops was allocated to recognised stakeholders, party leaders, government appointees or members of the legislative arm of the council.
The allegations also extend to more than 100 additional lock-up shops reportedly still under construction, with the stakeholders claiming that upfront payments had already been made to three individuals.
They are demanding that the proceeds and transactions surrounding the shops be fully accounted for.
Toll revenue allegations
Another major grievance involves revenue generated from toll collections within Owerri Municipal.
The stakeholders allege that millions of naira were collected monthly through agents allegedly supervised by Hon. Uche Ebere and former Vice Chairman, Comrade Lawrence Okoye.
They claim that the money, which ought to have been remitted to the council’s TSA, was instead allegedly shared among a small group.
The allegations further claim that the money was allegedly shared every Friday at the residence of Dr. Macdonald Ebere.
The aggrieved members say that despite claims that some of the funds were intended for the welfare of party members and leaders under the administration’s “Shared Prosperity” mantra, party members, leaders and executives allegedly received no benefit from the funds.
Alleged dual government appointments
The stakeholders have also raised questions over the alleged simultaneous receipt of salaries from two government positions by Hon. Uche Ebere.
They allege that Ebere receives remuneration as Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment while also serving as Secretary of the Owerri Municipal Council, known as SECLOG.
The stakeholders are demanding clarification on the legality of the alleged dual appointment and the financial transactions associated with his roles.
They further allege that monies and receipts generated from field operations were paid to Ebere either in cash or through accounts allegedly linked to him and Dr. Macdonald Ebere.
The stakeholders also made allegations concerning Dr. Macdonald Ebere’s personal financial dealings and properties abroad. These claims, however, remain allegations and would require documentary evidence and responses from the individuals concerned.
Alleged control of the council
The former APC State Chairman, Dr. Macdonald Ebere, has also been accused by the aggrieved stakeholders of exercising excessive influence over the affairs of Owerri Municipal Council.
They allege that Ebere operated as the dominant figure in the council and that the former chairman, Builder Chidebere Emeribe, took instructions from him on major financial, political and administrative matters.
The stakeholders further allege that Dr. Ebere imposed his sister, Chika Ebere, to act as chairperson of the council during much of the two-year period.
They claim that Mrs. Emeribe, the wife of the former chairman, did not effectively function as chairperson until the final week of the council’s tenure.
The allegations also include claims that people who questioned the alleged arrangement were threatened with suspension or accused of working with opposition political interests.
Appointments in Owerri Nchi Ise
The aggrieved stakeholders have further accused the former council leadership of interfering in the appointment of President-Generals, youth leaders and executives of the five autonomous communities in Owerri.
According to the allegations, appointments were made through the influence of Dr. Macdonald Ebere, with the names of the Governor and the APC allegedly invoked to justify the selections.
The stakeholders claim that some of those appointed were unpopular among traditional rulers, Ndom Owere, youths and other community stakeholders.
They contend that the alleged interference contributed to growing resentment against the APC in Owerri Municipal and was responsible, in part, for the poor support received by the party among some Owerri voters.
The stakeholders also claimed that a reception organised by the former council chairman and allegedly financed with local government funds attracted mainly non-indigenes and his personal political allies, while many Owerri stakeholders stayed away.
Alleged diversion of Leader’s security vote
The former Leader of the Council, Rt. Hon. Soromadi Justice Chiljioke, is also said to have raised concerns over the alleged handling of his official security allocation.
The stakeholders allege that ₦500,000 monthly approved as security vote for the Leader of the House was allegedly shared between Dr. Macdonald Ebere and the former Council Chairman throughout the two-year tenure.
They claim that the council leader did not receive any portion of the allocation during the period.
₦6m/₦10m welfare allocation
Another major issue concerns an alleged welfare allocation approved for leaders in the municipality.
The stakeholders allege that the state government initially approved ₦6 million for the welfare of leaders, which was subsequently increased to ₦10 million by the council chairman.
According to them, the money never reached the intended beneficiaries.
The aggrieved party members say they are particularly angry because many of them reportedly worked for the APC at a time when the party faced significant opposition in Owerri Municipal.
They argue that the alleged treatment of party leaders and members has created widespread disillusionment within the party.
Two-week ultimatum
The stakeholders are reportedly giving the former council administration two weeks from the end of its tenure to account for the various funds and transactions being questioned.
They have threatened to formally petition Governor Hope Uzodimma, the EFCC, ICPC and other relevant anti-corruption agencies if they do not receive satisfactory explanations.
The aggrieved members also warned that failure to address the issues could trigger mass defection from the APC in Owerri Municipal.
They are demanding a comprehensive account of council allocations, market proceeds, toll collections, shop sales, welfare funds, security allocations and other revenues generated during the two-year administration.
As of the time of filing this report, the allegations had not been independently verified, and the individuals named in the allegations had not publicly responded to the claims.
The dispute therefore leaves the APC in Owerri Municipal facing a potentially significant internal crisis, with party members demanding transparency and accountability while threatening to take their grievances beyond the party structure to government and anti-corruption agencies.