The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has described as “mischievous”, a story circulating in various print and social media platforms, titled: SALARY SCANDAL: IMO APC STAFF FIGHT DIRTY OVER DIVERSION OF JULY, AUGUST WAGES, INDICT PARTY TREASURER, EBERE AND UZODIMMA.
In a statement on Wednesday, signed by the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Cajetan Duke, the ruling party emphatically stated that “the said fake and fabricated story regarding imagined salary scandal and altercation at the Imo APC Secretariat is entirely fictitious, figment of the writer’s imagination and has no basis in reality.”
The statement read: “The attention of the State Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Imo State has been drawn to mischievous story circulating in various print and social media platforms on the subject matter above referred.
“We however want to emphatically state that the said fake and fabricated story regarding imagined salary scandal and altercation at the Imo APC Secretariat is entirely fictitious, figment of the writer’s imagination and has no basis in reality.
“There is no iota of truth in the alleged claims of diversion of salaries or fund of any kind, or any squabble among our staff.
“While we are concerned and have reservations about the worrisome decline of professionalism amongst some media practitioners in the state, who have elevated ‘brown envelope’ journalism in desperation to eke out a living, we still hold the noble Journalism profession and those core professionals, who are mindful of the fact that without balanced reportage journalism becomes antithetical to democracy and survival of our society, in high esteem.
“Our party places a high premium on integrity, accountability and transparency.
“Equally, the welfare of our employees is of paramount importance to us and we have consistently ensured timely and judicious payment of salary.
“We are therefore appalled by the spread of such baseless, wicked and malicious rumour, which is clearly aimed at tarnishing our reputation and causing unwarranted panic.
“We urge the public to always exercise caution and endeavour to verify any story from reliable sources so as to establish the veracity and weed out sensationalized falsehood as story.
“What we found most ridiculous is the dragging of the name of His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma into the internal administrative processes of the party. If it is not mischievously intended to discredit the person and character of the Governor, our amiable State Chairman and our party, we wonder what else it could be.
“Let it be known that Imo APC, under the leadership of Hon. McDonald Ebere, PhD, remains committed to upholding the principles of honesty and accountability in all its operations. Any allegations to the contrary are unfounded and should be treated as such.
“We insist on responsible, intelligent and professional journalism practice with accurate reporting as bedrock and such will not only attract the trust of the society but also promote peace and development.”