By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Professor Ben Nwabueze has denied ever granting a telephone interview to an unknown online publication, News Online, and dismissed as fabrication the report that he accused former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, of collecting bribe to thwart democracy in the state.
The publication had reported that Nwabueze accused Obi of collecting bribe from Godwin Maduka of Pains Institute in the United States to “circumvent democracy” in the Anambra Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Humphrey Eseobi, publisher of News Online, wrote that “Nwabueze told our correspondent in a telephone interview that … Obi is an evil wind that will scatter the Peoples Democratic Party even before the party governorship primary.
“[Nwabueze] confirmed that the agreement was sealed in the United States when … Obi travelled before the corona virus pandemic challenge.
“He urged the party to ostracise … Obi if they have any plan to produce a good candidate for the governorship election.”
But Nwabueze, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), picked holes in the report to highlight its fabrication, which was a futile attempt to drag his name into the murky waters of Anambra politics.
“I have had no interaction or dealing, physical or otherwise, with anyone by name Dr Godwin Maduka. Nor can I recall the name.
“As is well-known, except as concerns my children, my telephone contact is through my Secretary/Personal Assistant, Mr Damian Obiefule. It is through him that I can be reached by telephone,” Nwabueze, Nigeria’s foremost constitutional lawyer, said in a statement he personally signed and made available to TheNiche on Tuesday.
“I do not grant telephone interviews to correspondents, and no correspondent has been granted a telephone interview with me.
“I need perhaps to explain that the position just stated is the product, not of choice or of my advanced age (I am 89 going to 90) but of my health condition which unfortunately imposes restrictions on my movement and activities, including telephone calls.
“Lastly, I have had no discussion with anyone concerning Dr Godwin Maduka’s ambition or intention to contest the Anambra State governorship election on the platform of the PDP, and have not accused H.E. Peter Obi of collecting a bribe from … Maduka or from anyone else to support … Maduka’s candidature.
“I am hearing for the first time of Iyom Uche Ekwunife’s interest to contest the Anambra State governorship election.”
Other falsehoods by Eseobi
Eseobi wrote that Maduka is one out of many frontline contenders for the ticket of the PDP in the governorship election.
He lied that Nwabueze, “who hails from Ogbaru local government council, accused … Obi of entering into an agreement that will cause serious problem to PDP in the coming governorship election.”
Nwabueze also denied the falsehood floated by Eseobi that “he (Nwabueze) is privy to the plan” to give Maduka the party ticket because “he (Maduka) has greased the palm of Obi” with one $1 million.
Eseobi alleged that before now Obi “was pushing for Oseloka Obaze” to be the flagbearer of the PDP but “because of the deep pocket of Maduka from Umuchukwu, Obi is said to have made a U-turn since he is a man who loves power and money with passion.
“A call by our correspondent to Obi’s telephone number was picked by his Personal Assistant, Valentine Obienyem, who was so arrogant on the phone and could not deny the weighty allegation against his boss.
“He, however, told our correspondent that politics is all about the interest of Obi financially and otherwise, he sees no reason why he will not fly the party’s ticket in the governorship election.
“From all indications, Obi seems to be the sole decider of who flies the party’s ticket for the governorship election.
“It is widely believed that Obi is a man who loves power and money and can do anything to be in charge. He is threatened by the likes of Azubogu who many believe will win the party’s governorship ticket in a free and fair party primary.
“Obi is worried that the duo of Azubogu and Uche Ekwunife will spell doom for him as a leader in PDP because he is afraid of them.”