Ex-LP Chairman Denies Allegations of Sponsoring IPOB, Threatens Legal Action

A former acting chairman of the Labour Party in Abia State, Kelechi Madugba, has refuted allegations linking him to the sponsorship of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

In a statement issued in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, Madugba described the allegations as false, baseless, and a calculated attempt by political adversaries to tarnish his reputation.

“I am neither a sponsor nor a sympathiser of IPOB,” Madugba stated. “I do not know any member of the group and have never interacted with any known IPOB member.”

Madugba, who is also a businessman and a former candidate for the Isialangwa North/South federal constituency under both the Accord Party and New Nigeria Peoples Party, attributed the allegations to detractors seeking to undermine his integrity.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I have published all my account details for anyone who cares to verify if, in the past seven years, I received any funds capable of sponsoring a separatist movement like IPOB,” he declared, listing accounts belonging to himself and his company, Gemka Oils and Gas Limited, across multiple banks.

The former Labour Party chairman highlighted his contributions to national unity and development, emphasizing his belief in “One Nigeria.”

“I am a successful businessman and a decent political personality who has held many public offices. I have fostered unity and progress as a community builder for the development of my state and Nigeria as a whole,” he added.

Madugba further disclosed that his legal team had been instructed to pursue damages against those responsible for the allegations.

“This public notice serves as my official response to these baseless claims. I urge the public to disregard the publication, as it is misleading and deliberately intended to smear my hard-earned reputation,” he concluded.

Madugba reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and his role as a leader in the business and political sectors, vowing to protect his integrity against false accusations.