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Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state has accused popular music heavyweights, Flavour N’abania and Phyno of collecting the sum of N78 million from the former Deputy Senate President, Dr Ike Ekweremmadu to tarnish his image during the nationwide #ENDSARS protests in the state.
The Technical Assistant to Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Media and Public Relations, Comrade Stanley Ezediuto should made the allegtions on his social media handles, which has drawn comments from stakeholders and citizens of the state
Many have wondered why the duo were singled out as many celebrities across the country participated actively in the #ENDSARS protests while it lasted.
The likes of Runtown, Falz, Davido, Tiwa Savage, DJ Switch and comedian AY.
Others were Femi Kuti, Peter Okoye of the defunct Psquare singing group, media personality Toke Makinwa, popular disc jockey DJ Spinall and former Big Brother Naija stars Anto Lecky and Nelson Enwerem Prince. Big Brother Naija’s Tacha and Elozonam, Dija and Jaywon, MC Lively, Bello Kreb among others participated in the protests.
At the international stage, artistes like Rihanna, rapper Kanye West, Estelle, Trey Songz, Chance the Rapper, CEO of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, and German-Turkish Arsenal player Mesut Özil supported the demonstrators by sending solidarity messages.
In Enugu popular singers alongside Zoro, Kcee among other musicians led thousands of youths in protest against the dreaded Special Anti Robbery Squad.
Read also: Ebeano Resurrects, Shaping 2023 Political Alignments In Enugu State
A statement from the Aide read in part:
‘We are aware of the gifting of a huge sum of N78 million to Phyno and Flavour to campaign against the governor of Enugu State in the ongoing #EndSars protest nationwide by Senator Ike Ekweremmadu. But we are warning against hijacking of the protest by strange characters for political reasons. Enugu State Government has lived up to expectations and the governor will continue to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.’
‘Ike Ekweremmadu should not use this opportunity to castigate the working government of Enugu State through Phyno and Flavour for his 2023 guber aspiration. If he fails to desist from so doing, we shall remind him of the many abandoned projects in his constituency which should be of major concern to him. These revered artistes should not allow themselves to be used against the peaceful state of Enugu,’ he warned.
However, reacting to the allegation, Flavour’s elder brother, who’s also his booking agent, Benjamin said the highlife Afro singer participated in the #ENDSARS protests like other celebrities across the country.
‘It means that all the celebrities that participated in the #ENDSARS protests also collected money from the politicians. That’s what the allegation implies. So, in this case, you just have to use your common sense,’ he added.
Also, reacting to the allegation when contacted, Flavour’s younger brother, DJ Derekz, said the ‘Nwa Baby’ crooner will soon release an official statement to that effect.
Recall that days back, Flavour and Phyno took to their social media platforms, warning that should anything happen to them, the governor of Enugu State should be held responsible for it. They alleged that the governor threatened to deal with them for announcing that he should do more in delivering dividends of democracy to Enugu people. ‘Today our lives were threatened and we are making it clear that if anything happens to any single one of us or any protesters, let it be known that it was done by the Enugu State Government,’ Flavour wrote on his Instagram page.
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