ALM President Emeka Adiele Denies Extortion Allegation, Accuses Sam Nwogu’s Camp of Distorting Facts

The President of the Asa Liberation Movement (ALM), Hon. Emeka Adiele, has denied allegations that he demanded financial inducement from the campaign organisation of Chief Sam Nwogu, describing the claims as false and misleading.

Adiele, in a statement responding to allegations by the Sam Nwogu Campaign Organisation, said he had never demanded money from the campaign team, insisting that the controversy was an attempt to discredit his person and undermine the leadership of the political pressure group.

In his detailed response, the ALM president accused Nwogu of making financial offers to influence the movement’s activities and the outcome of its October 24, 2026, mock election, which was won by Engr. Adinigwe Ugochukwu Nwoke.

According to Adiele, Nwogu had voluntarily offered to support ALM’s meetings from September 2026 and provided financial assistance on three occasions.

He further alleged that during one of his meetings with the movement’s leadership, Nwogu offered ₦5 million and a Sienna bus, an offer he claimed was rejected by him and other stakeholders.

Adiele also alleged that on the eve of the movement’s mock election, Nwogu personally contacted him and offered ₦500,000 to influence the exercise.

He claimed that although he rejected the offer, he subsequently received information from a stakeholder, Charles Samankwe, that Nwogu had sent ₦1 million to secure his victory in the mock election.

Adiele said he told Samankwe he was free to canvass support for Nwogu, maintaining that ALM had allowed stakeholders to support their preferred candidates without compromising the integrity of the exercise.

The ALM president attributed the subsequent hostility towards the movement’s leadership to Nwogu’s failure to secure its endorsement through the established process.

Addressing another financial transaction, Adiele explained that during a consultation meeting involving Nwogu and Prince Ikonne, the former allegedly sent ₦1.7 million, comprising ₦700,000 for preparations and ₦1 million for members’ transportation.

He added that Prince Ikonne subsequently contributed another ₦1 million, bringing the transportation support to ₦2 million, which he said was distributed among members who attended the meeting.

Adiele also recalled a meeting with Nwogu in Port Harcourt, where he alleged that Samankwe requested consultation fees before political discussions could commence. He claimed that money was subsequently handed to him as the consultation fee.

The ALM president further disputed claims that Nwogu was instrumental in establishing or sustaining the movement, saying he first came in contact with the politician in March 2022 through Hon. Kingsley Enyite.

According to him, Enyite had approached him to make ALM’s platform available to help improve Nwogu’s political image.

He also dismissed claims that Nwogu had been appointed a life patron of the movement, challenging those making the assertion to produce an official appointment letter or resolution of the organisation’s recognised leadership.

Describing ALM as an organised political pressure group with established structures, Adiele insisted that the organisation was not the personal property of any individual.

He challenged Nwogu and his campaign media team to publicly present evidence capable of contradicting his account, warning that he would consider legal action against anyone found to have published defamatory statements against him.

Adiele maintained that his response was intended to clarify the circumstances surrounding the controversy and protect the integrity of the movement’s leadership.