More revelations have continued to emerge over the controversy surrounding the leadership struggle rocking Adapalm Landlord Association. ADAPALM Landlord Assocation is the umbrella body of host communities where the Imo state owned down stream sector Adapalm, christened Imo Palm Plantation.
It would be recalled that the Imo State House of Assembly is enmeshed in war of attrition with a government appointee and member of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission ISOPADEC, Gideon Meffor, over election of Officers of the Adapalm Landlord Association.
It was learnt that the former officials of the Association which the ISOPADEC Board Member was involved could not allegedly account for several monies running into millions which entered into the coffers of the Association.
According to Nze Collins Elem, a political leader in Ohaji/Egbema and one of the Landlords to the multi-million naira palm estate, the aggrieved land owners are demanding from Meffor, how about N1.7m released by MTN for location of mast for MTN services as well as monies meant for Special Palm Oil (SPO) and Fresh Fruits Bunches (FFB) allocated to landlords said to be amounting to N5.6m and the whereabouts’ of the head of the twelve week sludge amounting to N2m were utilized.
While accusing Meffor of several misdemeanors another pressure group, the Ohaji/Egbema Progressive Youths led by Tony Nwosu who queried the rationale behind the action of the ISOPADEC board member towards traditional rulers in the area and the member representing Ohaji/Egbema in the State Assembly, Hon Luke Chukwu.
While stating that it was Meffor’s indecent past that warranted the dissolution of the Isidore Nwabali led ISOPADEC Board, and recent suspension in the present board under Rev Emma Ebomuche, it decried the inability of the ISOPADEC member to respond to invitations and summons by House Committee on Agriculture on the Adapalm Landlord issue.
Trumpeta learnt that there is Adaplam Landlords power tussle game between a group backed by Meffor and others enjoying sympathy from other APGA leaders in Ohaji/Egbema like Hon Chukwu and Dr Goddy Esom Obodo.
Meffor and one Barr Ike Ezekwe, and Interim Chairman and Secretary respectively of the Landlord Association were accused of holding an illegal election to produce new executives. They were accused of allegedly shortchanging some of the real land owners, like Agwa in Oguta LGA, who reportedly petitioned the Governor and Imo Assembly over the conduct of the elections.
When contacted on phone, Meffor described accusations leveled against him as cheap blackmail and mere falsehood bandied about by his detractors to discredit him. According to Meffor “There is nothing like embezzlement or fraud as the case may be. All the stories of fraud are orchestrated lies to tarnish my image as there was nothing like embezzlement during my tenure. MTN never paid money to me as Gideon Meffor. Money was only paid to authorities of Imo palm plantation. And it was shared judiciously among youths, landlords, traditional rulers and stakeholders of the affected landlords. In short every member got his/her own fair share from Imo palm”.
The ISOPADEC board member appointed accusing fingers at Chukwu for fanning the ambers of discord in Adapalm Landlord Association when his cronies could not win the well conducted election.
“Luke Chukwu is the problem affecting Adapalm Landlords Association. He is not from Adapalm Landlords area. Instead of facing his legislative duties, he is only interested in trivial landlord matters because of selfish interest. He sponsored his PA, Innocent Omai for the election but the candidate failed in a free and fair contest. He petitioned to the House. While the matter is still before the House of Assembly, Chukwu allegedly wrote to Imo palm to allow him sell the sludge that is due to the Landlords Association, which we resisted. He directed his puppets to be granted the opportunity to sell the sludge but we disagreed. That is why he is bringing crisis and the cheap blackmail against me”, Meffor added.
Speaking further, he disclosed that despite the orchestrated lies against him by Chukwu’s agents who continue to allege that he is a PDP agent, Meffor stated that the Adapalm Landlord matter is not political as those who constitue the new executives not only voted but worked for the election of Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
