From Cyril Mbah, Abuja.
The All Progressives Congress, (APC), has launched thorough investigation to unmask an alleged impostor accused of sabotage and impersonating its National Woman Leader, Dr. Mary Idele Alile, to defraud grassroots women of palliatives and empowerment materials.
The controversy follows allegations that wrappers, food items and other empowerment materials meant for women support groups in some parts of the country were diverted, repackaged and allegedly sold in open markets instead of being distributed to intended beneficiaries.
In a clarification, Amb. Aisha Abdullahi Hudu of the APC Women Support Group Directorate distanced Dr. Alile from the allegations, insisting that the person implicated was not the recognised National Woman Leader but an alleged impersonator operating under her identity.
Hudu identified Dr. Alile as the Director of the PCC Women Mobilisation Directorate for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election, stressing that the National Woman Leader cannot be held responsible for the alleged activities of someone, who deliberately impersonated her.
According to Hudu, allegations concerning the diversion of palliatives, movement of materials to Edo State and commercialisation of empowerment programmes should not be attributed to Dr. Alile, who has discharged her duties, as women leader, creditablly well for several years.
She described the situation as an identity-related deception allegedly perpetrated by an individual impersonating the party official, stating that the clarification was aimed at protecting the reputation of the APC women leadership amid concerns over exploitation of party structures.
The APC leadership said it will establish the identity of the individual behind the alleged impersonation, determine whether party resources or beneficiaries were defrauded and identify anyone who may have facilitated the activities.
The party disclosed that efforts were already underway at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja to investigate the matter and unravel the circumstances surrounding the allegations.
It indicated that anyone found culpable would be referred to relevant security agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The party emphasised that Dr. Alile’s position as National Woman Leader is central to women mobilisation structure and has been expressly separated from the individual implicated in the earlier claims.
For the APC, the priority is to expose the alleged impersonator, protect the integrity of its women leadership and ensure that empowerment initiatives reach their legitimate grassroots beneficiaries.
