By Asuquo Cletus
A women-focused political support organisation in Cross River State, Team Mma Adiaha, has dismissed allegations that members were being extorted under the influence of the wife of the state governor.
They described the claims as false, malicious and politically motivated.
The group stated this on Monday while speaking with journalists in Calabar, the Cross River state capital.
Speaking on behalf of the organisation, the Director-General of Team Mma Adiaha, Archbishop Prof. Margaret Ene-Ita, said the allegations were fabricated by political opponents seeking to tarnish the image of the governor’s wife and undermine her humanitarian and empowerment initiatives across the state.
She explained that Team Mma Adiaha was established and is managed independently by women of Cross River State to promote unity, cultural values, social support and community development among women.
According to her, although members obtained permission to use the name of the governor’s wife in identifying the organisation, she is neither an officer nor a decision-maker within the group.
“Her Excellency is neither an officer, administrator nor a decision-maker within Team Mma Adiaha. She does not participate in the day-to-day administration of the association, nor has she ever directed, influenced or instructed members to make any form of payment to the organisation,” she said.
The DG maintained that membership of the organisation remained voluntary, adding that registration and acquisition of uniforms were internal matters handled by members and executives of the association.
She described claims of extortion as a deliberate attempt to undermine the credibility of the organisation and discredit the governor’s wife.
Ene-Ita further lauded the governor’s wife for her interventions in women empowerment, poverty alleviation, healthcare support, skill acquisition and humanitarian services, which he said had positively impacted thousands of women and vulnerable persons across the state.
She urged members of the public to disregard the allegations and continue supporting initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of women.
Also speaking, the Youth Mobiliser of the group, Nsa Ekpenyong, said members who paid registration fees had been reimbursed by the governor’s wife.
According to her the reimbursement demonstrated her commitment to supporting women and encouraging participation in community development programmes.
One of the beneficiaries, Vivian Ochuele Imogbo from Bekwara Local Government Area, told journalists that she had received several forms of support since joining the organisation.
She said members were given wrappers, food items and cash support, including a refund of the N30,000 registration fee.
Imogbo added that she received N50,000 in December and later benefited from a N200,000 grant to start a business.
She noted that empowerment programmes championed by the governor’s wife were not restricted to members of the organisation, stressing that women across the state had benefited regardless of political affiliation.
“No one has given me cause to complain. If there was any wrongdoing, I would have spoken out. From what I have experienced, women have continued to benefit from various empowerment programmes and support initiatives,” she said.
The group insisted that allegations of extortion were unfounded and politically motivated, maintaining that its activities remained focused on women empowerment, unity, cultural preservation and community development.
