UTC Loyalist Demands Evidence of Bwacha’s Alleged ₦49m 2013 Recall Fund

A loyalist of former Acting Governor of Taraba State, Garba Umar, popularly known as UTC, Hon. Haruna Aliyu Chindo, has challenged allegations surrounding the purported 2013 recall attempt involving Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, demanding documentary evidence to support claims of an alleged ₦49 million fund.

Chindo, reacting to a publication on social media, said the allegations concerning the collection and expenditure of the money were too serious to be treated as established facts without credible documentary and independent evidence.

According to him, the first issue requiring clarification is the alleged ₦49 million.

He asked those behind the claim to disclose who provided the money, when it was allegedly provided, the account into which it was paid, the relevant financial records and the purpose for which the money was allegedly spent.

“Merely stating that a particular amount was collected does not, by itself, establish that the money existed or that it was used in the manner alleged,” Chindo said.

He also questioned the allegation that certain individuals were allegedly recruited to facilitate the recall exercise.

Chindo said if such recruitment took place, the relevant correspondence, agreements, instructions, payment records or other contemporaneous documents should be produced to establish the roles of the individuals involved.

He further challenged the allegation that an individual allegedly diverted the group's money and subsequently went into hiding.

According to him, such an allegation is particularly serious and should be supported by financial records or other verifiable evidence.

“It is not sufficient to make the accusation and then demand that the accused prove their innocence,” he said.

Chindo also demanded clarification on claims concerning alleged dealings with the political party's national secretariat and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

He said if documents relating to the purported recall exercise were submitted to INEC, the writer should identify the documents, dates of submission, correspondence and acknowledgment receipts capable of establishing who submitted them and in what capacity.

He maintained that such claims could be verified through official records rather than political narratives.

The former acting governor's loyalist also called for evidence concerning the reported incident in Wukari during the alleged recall exercise.

According to him, if members of the group were attacked as alleged, there should be independent evidence, including reports from security agencies, relevant authorities or contemporary media reports.

He cautioned against using an alleged attack as evidence of the other allegations without establishing a direct connection between the incident and the alleged financial transactions.

Chindo further warned against confusing political disagreements over zoning and succession with proof of financial or criminal misconduct.

He said political disagreements among actors may explain the background to the controversy but cannot, on their own, establish that money was collected, that a recall operation was financed by a particular individual or that funds were diverted.

He also faulted what he described as an attempt to place the burden of proof on Daniel Likam by suggesting that he should explain his role and account for the alleged ₦49 million if he denies the claims.

According to Chindo, the responsibility lies first with the person making the allegation to present credible evidence.

“A denial by an accused person does not create proof of the original allegation,” he said.

Chindo said the controversy should be approached through verifiable facts rather than accusations and political insinuations.

He challenged anyone with evidence concerning the alleged ₦49 million to make it available for independent scrutiny.

“If there are bank statements, official INEC documents, correspondence, receipts, agreements, photographs, court records, police reports or credible contemporary reports supporting these allegations, they should be produced and subjected to independent scrutiny,” he said.

He maintained that until such evidence is produced, the alleged ₦49 million and the purported roles of individuals in the recall exercise should be regarded as claims requiring verification and not established facts.

Chindo stressed that political debate is legitimate but insisted that accountability must be based on evidence.

“Anyone making serious allegations against identifiable individuals should be prepared to substantiate those allegations with verifiable facts,” he said.

The statement comes amid renewed political exchanges over the alleged 2013 recall attempt involving Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, with conflicting accounts emerging from political actors who were reportedly connected to events surrounding the controversy.