The Ebonyi State Government under the leadership of Governor Dave Nweze Umahi, has stated that it is now privy of an online publication report titled: ‘Umahi to Ebonyians: Block my convoy again, get killed’, which was filed and credited to Oswald Agwu of the Eagle Online, and circulating on the social media.
In a statement made available to 9News Nigeria, Mr. Francis Nwaze, the Special Assistant to the Governor, on New Media and Project Documentation, said that the title of the publication was designed to portray Governor Umahi in a bad light, over an incident where his life was in obvious danger.
The statement reads in full:
His Excellency, was approaching the State capital, Abakaliki, when he encountered a barrier set up by unknown persons, at Onicha Local Government. According to unconfirmed reports, the barrier may have been set up to curb traffic flow towards the venue of a wake keep ceremony.
His Excellency had observed the very slow response of the community, in dismantling the barricade for the Governor’s further movement. Suffice it to say that, the Governor was in the very know that such was a usual practice in Igboland.
In the long wait, miscreants approached one of the Governor’s security vehicles, and made away with a firearm to the amazement of Security Detail.
In displeasure, the Governor who was irked by the disrespect and dishonour extended to the Office of the Ebonyi State Governor, condenmed such act of brigandage and criminality, calling for the prosecution of the culprits, and with no references to the good people of Ebonyi State.
It is unfortunate that the online publication chose the title: ‘Umahi to Ebonyians: Block my convoy again, get killed’, in flagrant disregard to the essential professional codes of Journalism practice.
His Excellency, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, FNSE, FNATE, will never address Ebonyi people in such a language, more so, in a circumstance of misconduct creditable to a few disgruntled criminals within a community.
The Ebonyi State Government urges the Editorial Board of the online publication, to uphold the highest standards in the filing of reports prior to circulation in the social media.
The Ebonyi State Government and the Office of the Governor, has been inundated with calls for the contextual clarification of the online report, and ceases this opportunity to assure the good people of Ebonyi State, that the Governor was simply worried that ordinary law abiding citizens may be in more danger, if an elected Governor was subjected to the inhuman treatment from some criminal youths.
His Excellency, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, further reiterates his call to Security Agencies, to apprehend all those who were involved in the forceful withdrawal of firearms belonging to security details attached to the Governor, for onward prosecution.
Furthermore, the Ebonyi State Government wishes to emphasise that in line with extant regulations, the Executive Governor is protected by the Nigerian State, and attacks or threat to the safety and security of life of the Governor, will be resisted by members of Security Agencies deployed to ensure his safety.
Note must be made that the entire Security Detail of an elected Governor, is controlled by the Aide de Camp, who may discretionally apply brute force or otherwise, at the face of threat to life of the Governor. This is applicable to all elected Governors of States in Nigeria.
