The Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA) has challenged those accusing Senator Tony Okechukwu Nwoye of diverting N50 million budgeted for the distribution of sewing machines to women in the Omambala area of Anambra North Senatorial District to produce credible evidence to support the allegation.
The association, which described the claim as false, politically motivated and lacking factual basis, made the demand during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, where it accused the promoters of the allegation of misleading the public about Nigeria’s budget implementation process.
Speaking on behalf of the association, BAVCCA said allegations of budget diversion against the senator could not stand without proof that the funds were released, identifying the implementing agency and establishing that Nwoye had control over the money.
“We therefore state, without fear of contradiction, that the allegation is not only frivolous and mischievous but also exposes the ignorance of its promoters regarding Nigeria’s constitutional framework and the mechanics of federal budget implementation.
“At no point does a Senator receive budgeted funds into a personal account or become the accounting officer for a federal project,” the association said.
According to the group, lawmakers are constitutionally empowered only to approve government expenditure through appropriation, while responsibility for releasing and implementing budgeted projects rests entirely with the Executive arm of government.
It argued that critics had deliberately ignored the constitutional process by accusing the senator of withholding public funds without establishing whether the project received cash backing or was released for implementation.
“A budget line is not evidence of fund release. Fund release is not evidence of project execution. Project execution is not evidence that a legislator controlled public funds. These are elementary facts of public finance,” the association said.
BAVCCA maintained that before making allegations of corruption against any public official, accusers must provide documentary evidence showing that the funds were released and linking the official to the management or diversion of the money.
The association also questioned whether the project was cash-backed by the Federal Government, whether any procurement process was initiated and which Ministry, Department or Agency was assigned responsibility for implementing the intervention.
It said without answers to those questions, the allegation remained “mere political propaganda” rather than an evidence-based accusation.
Defending the senator’s record, the association described Nwoye as a philanthropist and lawmaker with a long history of supporting education, healthcare, youth empowerment, rural infrastructure and community development across Anambra North.
According to the group, the senator has facilitated several constituency interventions, including school projects, scholarships, health programmes, water schemes, solar-powered streetlights, agricultural support and skills acquisition initiatives that are visible across communities in the district.
The association argued that it was unreasonable to suggest that a public official with such a record would jeopardise his reputation over a N50 million project.
While reaffirming support for accountability in public office, BAVCCA urged Nigerians to verify allegations before circulating them on social media, warning against using digital platforms to spread misinformation and damage reputations.
The association further advised that allegations of corruption should be reported to the appropriate anti-graft and investigative agencies rather than prosecuted through media campaigns.
It reaffirmed its confidence in Senator Nwoye and urged him to remain focused on what it described as quality representation and the continued development of Anambra North.
