Ukwu Not An Impostor, Ex-NADECO Chieftain Replies Alake

A chieftain of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Ralph Obioha, has slammed the Director of Strategic Communications of the APC presidential campaign council, Dele Alake, over his comment on a US-based Nigerian, Lloyd Ukwu.

Recall that Alake had described Ukwu as an imposter and an agent of the Labour Party (LP) flagbearer, Peter Obi, who is hellbent on fooling unsuspecting Nigerians in the diaspora and the international community.

In a statement on Thursday, Alake accused Ukwu of attempting to fraudulently exploit the NADECO platform for Obi against Tinubu who was massively voted for in the election.

Also speaking, the US branch of the defunct pro-democracy group had distanced itself from Ukwu’s activities in the country.

Reacting in a statement on Sunday, Obioha said Ukwu was a pillar of NADECO in the American continents when the body was active, and not an imposter as alleged by Alake.

Obioha recalled that Ukwu donated office space to NADECO opposite the FBI office in the Georgetown area of Washington DC to ensure that officials of the defunct pro-democracy group were safe.

He described Alake’s remark against Ukwu as nefarious and a diatribe, stressing that the former NADECO chieftain had the right to his political views.

The statement reads: “My attention has been drawn to a Press Statement titled: “Public alert on nefarious agenda on NADECO impostor, Lloyd Ukwu in the United States of America,” and signed by Dele Alake, the Special Adviser to Bola Tinubu.

“In my capacity as a NADECO chieftain and its former Head in North America, and having read this diatribe by Dele Alake and being aware of the ignoble intentions behind it, below therefore is my considered response to it.

“Attorney Lloyd Ukwu (the person disparaged by Dele Alake in his Press Statement) was a major pillar in the NADECO struggle, especially in the American continents, comprising the United States, Canada, and some South American countries. When NADECO had no kobo, Dr Ukwu sponsored three air tickets to Ottawa, Canada, and one to Haiti and funded costly outreaches to many countries, including Taiwan.

“In conclusion, let it be clear that Attorney Lloyd Ukwu is legitimate; his NADECO activities and credentials are legitimate; and he has the inalienable right to hold his political opinion, especially when geared to helping our democracy to flourish through a credible electoral process. We indeed need more activists like him.”