By Tony Okafor, Awka
The National Coordinator of the APGA Media Warriors Forum, Evangelist Chinedu Obigwe, has dismissed claims that the arrest and arraignment of Bishop Emeka Nwankpa alongside other suspected fake pastors was politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Obigwe described allegations of political persecution against Nwankpa as unfounded, insisting that the cleric’s legal troubles were unrelated to politics.
According to him, attempts by some individuals to portray the prosecution as a political witch-hunt were aimed at pressuring the Anambra State Government into dropping the charges against Nwankpa.
“The claim that the arrest and arraignment of Bishop Emeka Nwankpa alongside other fake pastors is a political witch-hunt is unfounded. Nobody is politically witch-hunting him; rather, he is facing the consequences of his actions,” Obigwe stated.
He further said that those advancing the political persecution narrative were engaging in what he described as an unsuccessful effort to blackmail the government into abandoning the case.
Obigwe also downplayed Nwankpa’s political relevance, arguing that despite being a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) operating within Onitsha North II Constituency, he had not demonstrated significant electoral influence.
“As an APC member operating in Onitsha North II Constituency, Emeka Nwankpa does not possess any notable political value. He cannot boast of winning elections in his polling unit, let alone his ward,” he said.
The APGA stalwart maintained that the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo could not be associated with politically motivated persecution of any individual in the state.
He said the Soludo administration remained focused on delivering good governance and implementing reforms across various sectors of the state’s economy and public service.
“Governor Soludo’s efforts to reform Anambra State in all ramifications deserve commendation rather than vilification and blackmail,” Obigwe stated.
He further argued that residents of the state were benefiting from the policies and programmes of the current administration, describing the governor’s performance as unprecedented in the state’s recent history.
The statement comes amid ongoing public debate surrounding the arrest and prosecution of Nwankpa and other individuals accused of engaging in activities allegedly linked to fake religious practices. The matter is currently before the court.
