Governor Peter Obi Accused Of Wasting State Funds In
Questionable Trip To US
03.05.2013, 9:24 Arts and Entertainment
Numerous US-based indigenes of Anambra State are
questioning the decision of Governor Peter Obi to make a
trip to the US in what the governor described as an attempt
to resolve disputes between some members of the Anambra
State Association of USA (ASA-USA) and four officials of the
association.
Aggrieved members have filed a lawsuit in a
California court accusing the president of the
association, Allison Anadi, and three other officials
of conspiring to convert and misappropriate the
association's funds. The three other defendants
are Jonathan Okafor, Victor Nwanso, and Olisa Oraelosi.
The plaintiffs, Chris Ikeanyi and Pius Okafor, allege in the lawsuit
that Mr. Anadi, a former professor of criminal justice, and his
fellow defendants conspired to convert various sums belonging to
the association, including a $60,000 donation made to ASA-USA
by Ifeanyi Uba, a controversial businessman who is one of many
candidates aspiring to become the next governor of Anambra.
In an email to 31 members of the association residing in different
parts of the US, Governor Obi invited them to a peace meeting
scheduled for 8:30 p.m. today, May 3, 2013 at the Hilton Newark
Airport Hotel in Newark, New Jersey.
The governor's letter, sent on his behalf by special assistant
Valentine Obienyem, offered invitees $500 each to cover their
flight tickets. In addition, the governor disclosed that the state
government would cover hotel and feeding expenses for one
night for each invited guest.
The full text of the governor's email, obtained by
SaharaReporters from several of the invited guests, read:
PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES IN ASA-USA
The above subject matter which has been brought to my
attention refers.
As the Governor of Anambra State, I am saddened by the
challenges in ASA-USA. ASA-USA is one of the progressive
associations of Anambra people in the Diaspora. Over the years,
your concern and readiness to partner with us in the
development of our State has been applauded. Your yearly
medical mission is an innovation other States are now emulating.
It is disheartening to learn of the division among you, which has
led to what can be described as INTERNET war, as well as court
actions.
As the Governor of Anambra State, who has been close to you,
and bearing in mind that no meaningful development can take
place in the atmosphere of disunity, I appeal to you that it is
about time we sat together as brothers and sisters and discuss
the problems facing ASA-USA and see ways to amicably resolve
the misunderstanding.
Though this may be difficult for you and me, considering
everybody's tight
schedule, I plan to come to the USA on May 3rd, 2013 for this
purpose and wish to extend the invitation to you to be part of the
meeting as follows:
Venue: Hilton Newark Airport Hotel, 1170 Spring Street, Elizabeth,
New Jersey, Phone 908-351-3900
Time: 8:30pm
Date: Friday, 3rd May, 2013
Please note that there will be a flat rate of $500 refund for the
local flights of all those invited. The one night room and board
will also be covered.
Kindly accept assurances of my highest regards as we work
together for peace and progress of our State.
Contacted by SaharaReporters, five of the invited members
indicated their readiness to travel to New Jersey to meet with the
governor, even though most of them questioned its wisdom. "I
will go despite the short notice," said one of them. Asked whether
they would accept the $500.00, they all answered in the
affirmative. One of them jokingly said the payment was "part of
my national cake."
Several of them agreed that Governor Obi's visit and the expense
of hosting the talks constitute wasteful expenditure of scarce
public funds. "The matter should be left in the hands of the court
in California that is handling it," one said.
Another invited guest said, "Governor Obi has said this is a peace
mission, but I think it is nothing more than a jamboree." Even so,
he said he decided to attend the meeting in order to "watch and
see what the governor is up to and to be able to expose the way
our funds are squandered."
We also spoke to two invitees who said they have no plans to
attend today's meeting with Governor Obi. "The case in court is
going well," one said yesterday. He added, "Just today, the judge
gave a temporary order restraining Dr. Anadi and his fellow
defendants not to utilize the funds of ASA-USA in paying their
attorneys and not to use our funds to travel again. I don't think
the governor's intervention at this point will serve any purpose."
Both sources opined that Governor Peter Obi should have used
the money he voted for this trip to solve some of the serious
problems facing the people of his state. "The governor spoke
about our medical mission in his email. Why not save the money
he is wasting and spend it on buying equipment for one or two
hospitals in our state?" one source asked.
The source said it was likely the governor's peace initiative would
cost Anambra people more than $100,000 dollars. He said his
calculation was based on the governor's first class tickets as well
as the flight tickets of his aides, their hotel and limousine
expenses in addition to what the governor promised to offer to
those who attend the meeting. "I know that peace is important.
But in this day and age, there are other ways of achieving peace
without the governor leaving important state matters to journey
to America. And does it mean that the governor has solved all
the quarrels at home in Anambra? If not, why is he coming here
to address us on something that is already in court?" The source
dismissed the possibility of the governor's mediation resulting in
the withdrawal of the lawsuit against Mr. Anadi. "It's impossible
to withdraw the lawsuit at this point," said the source. "The case
will go on until we get a full account of what happened to the
association's funds," he added.

http://m.naij.com/news/33007.html

...Decision of Governor Peter Obi to make a
trip to the US in what the governor described as an attempt to resolve disputes between some members of the Anambra State Association of USA (ASA-USA) and four officials of the
association.

This is hilarious, hope it's not true.