A women-focused political support organisation in Cross River State, Team MMA Adiaha, has dismissed allegations that its members are being extorted under the influence of the state’s First Lady.
The group dismissed the allegation as false, malicious and politically motivated, insisting that it was being peddled by opponents seeking to tarnish its image and undermine ongoing women empowerment initiatives associated with the First Lady in the state.
Speaking to journalists on Monday in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, the Director-General of Team MMA Adiaha, Ene-Ita, said the allegations were fabricated by political opponents seeking to discredit the First Lady.
She explained that Team MMA Adiaha was established and is independently managed by women in Cross River State to promote unity, cultural values, social support and community development.
According to her, although the group obtained permission to use the name of the First Lady for identification purposes, she is neither an officer nor a decision-maker within the organisation.
“Her Excellency is neither an officer, administrator nor decision-maker within Team MMA Adiaha. She does not participate in the day-to-day running of the association, nor has she ever directed, influenced or instructed members to make any form of payment,” she said.
Ene-Ita maintained that membership of the group is voluntary, adding that registration fees and uniforms are internal arrangements handled by members and executives.
She described the extortion allegations as a deliberate attempt to undermine the credibility of the organisation and discredit the First Lady’s humanitarian efforts.
She also commended the First Lady for her interventions in women empowerment, poverty alleviation, healthcare support, skill acquisition and humanitarian services, which she said had impacted thousands of women and vulnerable persons across the state.
Ene-Ita urged members of the public to disregard the allegations and continue to support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of women.
Also speaking, the group’s Youth Mobiliser, Nsa Ekpenyong, said members who paid registration fees had been reimbursed by the First Lady.
According to her, the reimbursement reflects the First Lady’s commitment to supporting women and encouraging participation in community development programmes.
A beneficiary, Vivian Ochuele Imogbo from Bekwara Local Government Area, said she had received several forms of support since joining the organisation, including wrappers, food items, cash assistance and business grants.
She said she received a refund of her N30,000 registration fee, as well as N50,000 in December and a N200,000 grant to start a business.
Imogbo added that empowerment programmes linked to the First Lady were not restricted to members of the group, noting 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 my experience, women across the state continue to benefit from various empowerment programmes and support initiatives,” she said.
The group maintained that the allegations of extortion were unfounded and politically motivated, insisting that its activities remain focused on women empowerment, unity, cultural preservation and community development.