By Phil Okose Onitsha
Chief Chukwuemeka Edward Maduka, (a.k.a. Morocco Maduka), the music maestro and founder of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, PMAN, has described as false, frivirous and a figment of the imagination of the opposition, the speculation making the round that it was Governor Willie Obiano that gave him the money he used to build his hotel, Morotel hotel, located at Iyiagu estate Awka, thye Anambra State capital.
He swiftly reacted to the speculation which he said emanated from those musicians opposing his stand that Ikem Mazeli, the incumbent chairman of PMAN, Anambra State, should be allowed to go for second tenure having performed creditably.
According to the king of Ekpiri music who reacted to the allegation during music jamboree held at Kaima hotel Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, “because of Anambra PMAN election I was accused of being given money by Governor Willie Obiano to build my hotel”
“I laid the foundation stone of the hotel in 1999 and completed it and it became functional the same year.That is the hotel they (opposition to my stand) said Obiano gave me money to build. Hotel I built before Obiano became the Governor of Anambra state”
“They are only jealous because I played special record for the Governor during his electioneering campaign era which he used for his campaign and it was brought and played for him and he listened and was very happy and gave me a car and #5million. We did not bargain for it”
He lamented that crisis engulfed PMAN after 11 years of its peaceful existence sequel to PMAN election irregularities at the national level that seriously by extension affected some states especially Anambra.
“All of a sudden, one ifeanyi Okafor and others said they will do election that ikem does not know how to rule, and I asked them, what has he done wrong and then asked the electoral committee to conduct the election in my house”.
“As it was about to take place I asked that Mazeli be allowed to continue as chairman and they accepted but the then national president for the love of money scattered Anambra PMAN and accused me that Obiano gave me money to build my hotel”
“Elochukwu Uzochukwu, (a.k.a. Chike Obi) when he came out to contest for PMAN governorship said that Obiano gave PMAN money and I collected it and built my hotel”.
“Ikem is my son, I gave him the mantle of leadership to lead Anambra PMAN because he is doing well”.
Speaking, Mazeli who has been appointed by the National President of PMAN, Pretty Okafor, to pilot the affairs of the state PMAN pending when an election will be conducted, said, “we have not done the election, I will organise the association before election”.
“We are ready to accept the other faction back because in no distant
time they will see the reality”.
On how Covid 19 pandemic affected them he said, “for good five months we didn’t go to work, there will be no way to render our services without the crowd”.
“I urge my fellow musicians to keep to the directives of covid 19 protocals”
On how he will move the PMAN forward he stated that, “the present executive is well talented, they will help to see that the entertainment industry is moving forward. We have projects to raise, which we will start by late this year”
Contributing, his Deputy, Mr Simekris, CEO Simetone Production limited, said that “crisis is a normal thing as a family but we have to disagree to agree, our doors are open for them to move forward”
According to Oliver De Coque’s son, “in Anambra PMAN we are trying to keep things in order, not to fall apart but to push it forward,”
Also Prince Afarm Ogbotobo said that PMAN was one family before the problem came up adding that, ” they wanted to hijack it to be theirs, thank God it had been ratified, the authentic Governor is Ikem Mazeli”.
Contributing, the owner of Kaima hotel, venue of the music jamboree, chief Ifeanyi Onwukwenata, who was ably represented by his brother, Ifediora Ozor, (a.k.a. Kingkanyima) said that, “the hotel is open for lovers of entertainment and tourists”.
In his own contribution, consultant manager to the hotel, George C. Odukwe, said “we are known for entertainment and hospitality and that is the reason the musicians chose this place for this music jamboree”.
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