OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL, IMO PDP NEW MEDIA DIRECTORATE

September 9, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

NIRSAL Loan: Again Uzodimma Exposes His Inclination To Fraud

—Must account for the N4 bn quoted in loan scam

On Friday, we uncovered a fraudulent scheme orchestrated by the Hope Uzodimma administration, which deceived thousands of Imo people into obtaining loans from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through Nirsal Microfinance Bank under the pretense of receiving start-up grants.

Our concern stems from Uzodimma's announcement in June 2021, where he promised to empower 15,000 Imo residents with start-up grants worth N250,000 each, totaling N4 billion. Many were enticed by this promise and eagerly participated, subsequently receiving the aforementioned amount. Uzodimma and his supporters celebrated this initiative as an accomplishment of his government, marking its launch with a grand ceremony at the Dan Anyiam stadium.

On Thursday, September 7, 2023, the beneficiaries were in for a rude awakening as they realized that what was touted as a grant by Uzodimma was, in fact, a loan. It was part of the targeted credit facilities (TCF) program introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria to support households and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic nationwide. The deception by Uzodimma left the unsuspecting beneficiaries shocked and disappointed.

This was after the beneficiaries had their accounts with their respective deposit money banks debited sums ranging from N70,000 to N230,000 depending on the amount in each individual's account.

We condemn in the strongest possible terms the cruel and thoughtless actions of the Governor and his co-conspirators. Not only were the beneficiaries deceived into taking a loan under false pretenses, but they are also left facing the burden of repaying it without a flexible or accommodating repayment plan [moratorium]. It is appalling to consider the impact of suddenly losing over N150,000 on small-scale businesses that already face numerous challenges. This callous manipulation of vulnerable citizens is entirely unacceptable and must not go unaddressed.

This is an insult to the sensibilities of Imo people who know the difference between a loan and a grant. While the former is repaid, the latter is given out freely. We demand that Uzodimma apologize to Imo people for playing on their intelligence to fleece the State.

And now that it is proven that the scheme was a CBN loan, the State Government cannot claim to have spent N4 billion of tax-payers money to freely give out grants to the masses. This is an organized crime and Uzodimma must account for the sum.

We are not surprised by Governor Uzodimma's actions. Prior to his appointment by the Supreme Court, he had faced corruption charges, and his track record showed a clear inclination towards fraud. The recent incident where he deceived vulnerable citizens further confirms this. This is a Governor who appointed over 240 SAs, yet has shamefully neglected them for the past eight months. They do not even have terms of reference, and have not been paid a single penny as salary. This reveals a clear lack of empathy and responsibility on the part of the Governor, and he must be held accountable for his actions.

However, the good news is that Uzodimma is currently spending his last days as Governor as on November 11, 2023, he will be given a shameful defeat that will spell the freedom of the State from his despotic grips and occasion his retirement from politics.

Imo must be safe again!

Signed:

Lancelot Obiaku
Director-General
Imo PDP New Media

Everyone knows what that man stands for.

The only problem is how to kick him out in November because he belongs to a party that always fights dirty!

I wonder how he managed to decieve a whole state

Okay.

SmartPolician:
Everyone knows what that man stands for.

The only problem is how to kick him out in November because he belongs to a party that always fights dirty!

the imo state should double their effort and determination to kick Uzodinma out . Imo state youths should not fall for his trick oo.

I hope imo state youths will not fall for Uzodima trick to deceive them again.

The more you look the less you see, the sharia Court governor, na you bikoooo