● Blames Ihedioha, PDP for fake news
Imo state government has vehemently distanced itself from a trending fake news in the social media that Gov Hope Uzodimma faulted the Appeal Court judgement that acquited and discharged Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
It blamed the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Emeka Ihedioha for sponsorship of the fake news to tarnish the image of the governor.
In a statement he signed in Owerri on Friday morning, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba deplored what he called satanic and vile propaganda and falsehood being perpetrated against the governor all in the name of politics.
According to him, at no time did the Chief press secretary to the governor or any official of the government speak to the press concerning the Appeal Court judgement.
He also said the governor as a law abiding citizen of Nigeria who believes in the rule of law could not have queried the judgment as insinuated by the fake news.
“We are aware that Ihedioha after his ill advised attacks on Ndigbo where he called them saboteurs is desperately trying to drag His Excellency to the mud he emeshed himself in. But this infantile stunt is a new low for him”, Emelumba declared.
He noted that after the series of successes recorded by Uzodimma in governance and other national assignments, Ihedioha and PDP have been trying to whittle down his popularity.
The commissioner declared that those familiar with the character of the state Governor would affirm that he has never criticized the judiciary even when judgements did not go his way in personal matters.
He described as height of mischief and perjury for the opposition in the state to attribute such a comment to Uzodimma.
He also made it clear that Uzodimma as a compassionate and philanthropist would never rejoice in the misfortune of anyone.
Emelumba reiterated his call for the managers of public information to be circumspect in the discharge of their duties.
Said he” the fake news didn’t attempt to answer the fundamental questions of 5Ws and H,which are who, what, when, where,why and How concerning any news story”
He asked Nigerians to ignore the fake news as neither the governor nor any of his aides has reacted to the Appeal Court judgement on Nnamdi Kanu.