-Debunks media report
The immediate past governor of Imo State, Rt.Hon Emeka Ihedioha CON has described rumours being peddled in the social that he has dumped his christian faith and become a moslem as the handiwork of political misfits and desperadoes who would do anything to tarnish his hard earned image and reputation.
The former deputy Speaker of the federal house of representatives who stated this in a release issued by his media aide, Chibuike Onyeukwu expressed confidence in the perceptive ability of Imo people who he said are not easily deceived acknowledge that the identity of the political jobbers peddling the false and deceptive stories are well known, adding that he remains a Christian and explained he visit to governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
The former governor stated that the picture attached to the fake news that went viral was taken when he went to the family residence of his longtime friend and erstwhile colleague at the national assembly, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal CFR of Sokoto State to pay his last respects to his departed brother, Alhaji Mohammadu Bello in Tambuwal local government area of Sokoto State on January 19, 2022.
The release reads thus: “Our attention has been drawn to a deliberate falsehood and gross misrepresentation of facts, syndicated in the social media alleging that His Excellency Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON has switched his Christian faith.
This harebrained act of desperation is as malicious and wicked as it is puerile.
While His Excellency has great respect for all faiths, everyone knows that he is not only a committed Christian but, also a Knight of the Anglican Church.
For emphasis, His Excellency was only paying his respects to the departed. The picture attached to the viral fake news was taken on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at the Tambuwal family residence in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, where Rt. Hon. Ihedioha joined his longtime friend and Governor of Sokoto State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal CFR, for the funeral rites of his elder brother, Alhaji Mohammadu Bello (Wazirin Tambuwal), who passed on few days ago.
We know the desperadoes behind this mischief. Fortunately, the perceptive public know them too.
Recall that these same mischievous characters in their ploy to malign the reputation of Rt. Hon. Ihedioha, had recently flooded the social and mainstream media with reports purporting that he had concluded plans to dump PDP, for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). They had also alleged that he was nursing a Senatorial ambition.
Unfortunately for these failed political jobbers, the highly discerning and ever vigilant public has stuck with Rt. Hon. Ihedioha despite these orchestrated attacks.
It is not in contention that His Excellency Rt. Hon. Ihedioha remains the darling of the people of Imo State. This is because of his candour and outstanding stewardship in the high offices he has held, especially his accomplishments as the Servant-Leader of the PDP-led Rebuild Imo administration.
However, we know that at the appropriate time, our brothers and sisters of all religious inclinations, will join other well meaning people of Imo State to give Rt. Hon. Ihedioha a resounding support to reclaim his mandate on the platform of the PDP, a party he has been, not just a foundation member but also a very loyal and strong pillar.
Hon. Ihedioha has remained the pride of the PDP, not only in Imo State, but nationally. He is a party loyalist without blemish.
The public should therefore disregard these smear campaigns and go about their normal businesses.
We however, expect more of these blackmails in the coming days but we are not distracted.
All eyes must be on the ball. What is paramount to the people of Imo State at this time is a return to the era of good governance so that the sacred project of rebuilding Imo State will continue apace.”
