By Chinelo Obogo
Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has condemned what he described as “dissemination of brazen falsehood” which he said was carried out against him by detractors.
In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Strategic Communications and Legislative Matters, Prince Oliver Okpala, the governor said he would no longer tolerate the dissemination of falsehood, and threatened to unleash attacks on those behind it.
“Recently, an aide to a former governor of the state was at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, in company of his boss, where he took a photograph of a private jet which brought in a former vice president who visited the area and, without cross-checking facts, he posted it on social media, claiming that the jet was hired by Governor Obiano.
“The insinuation was that the governor was the one using private jets while Anambra people are languishing in poverty; a ploy to whip up sentiments against him.
“Nobody is stopping this aide from singing his masters praise because that was what he was paid to do.
“But, for him to descend so low to the extent of publishing outright lies just to mislead the public is an indication that he has lost all professional instincts in his efforts to please his master.
“Therefore, the time has come for it to be clearly stated that those who are in this habit of casting aspersion on the governor should forthwith desist from such acts or face the consequences of unpalatable media attack, criticism and propaganda.
“To this end, this is a notice that henceforth, any further unwarranted attack on the governor will be met with a very tough response.
“Let it be noted that we have done our investigations, and we know that those sponsoring these unfounded attacks against the governor include those who have tasted power before, either as governor or secretary to the state government.
“We have their records to the minute details, and will not hesitate to unleash a higher degree of attack on their persons with verifiable proofs in our possessions so that the world would know the dirty stuff they are made of.
“Any moment from now, collectively, we shall go to our propaganda arsenal to unleash very sensitive and highly consequential materials.
“We are putting this warning across, as those who are in charge of the governor’s public image and perception, and those who are aware of our antecedents are experts in propaganda origination, articulation and dissemination.”