By Dorcas Samson Achi
Owerri Zone Apex Socio-cultural Organisation, Olu Owerri has condemned in strongest terms the attack on Imo journalist and the publisher of Nigeria Watchdog Newspaper,Comrade Precious Nwadike by the Imo governor’s younger brother, describing such action as the height of provocation and assault on the media and democracy.
Chief Martin Opara, the National President General of Olu-Owerri and the immediate past Director General of Imo State Orientation Agency with some executive members of Olu-Owerri had yesterday paid a solidarity visit to Comrade Precious Nwadike in his office where they expressed concern over the inhuman attack on one of the foremost Imo journalists and several others by a man whom he said has been going around molesting innocent citizens and intimidating people without reprimand.
Leadership of Olu Owerri during their meeting with Comrade Precious Nwadike, recently.
While consoling comrade Nwadike, Chief Opara said,” Olu-Owerri condemns the action melted out on you because you represent the voice of the voiceless, the conscience of the Nigerian youths and the hope of the ordinary citizens. The assault on you is considered assault on all of us. We are provoked and willing to support any decision you take on this matter. The governor should call his brother to order if he is committed to demonstrate traits of leadership. We are aware that the body language of the governor may be a motivating factor while his brother is going about beating people.
However, we are here to sympathize with you. Uche Uzodinma has to tender unreserved apologies to you having caused you a lot of physical and psychological injury. It’s obvious that we are at the mercy of law breakers. We will continue to cooperate with Watchdog Newspaper. May God send his angels to comfort you”.
Comrade Precious Nwadike in his response, expressed gratitude to Olu-Owerri for their solidarity visit.
He described Chief Martin Opara as a true comrade who appreciates the aluta slogan-injury to one, is an injury to all, adding that re-electing him to oversea the affairs of Olu-Owerri is a big gain. According to Nwadike, leadership is not a tea party rather it is for those who have character and can earn the respect of their followers . He stated that Nigeria has been affected by bad leadership all these while because charlatans who have not been subjected to discipline and democratic processes are taking over the corridors of power.
Speaking on the ugly incident , Comrade Nwadike maintained that he would not bother seeking justice in court if he is thinking about himself alone but because the lives of many people are at risk, if the said Uzodinma is not tamed. ”This can happen to anyone. Why will any man delight beating up people. There are evidences that apart from me, he has also beaten up other people who for fear of being killed or dealt with, using government apparatus. Before I chose journalism as a profession, I considered the hazards, losses and gains involved, so I came prepared. I am not afraid to speak the truth no matter whose ox is gored. The worse that can happen to us is to die in silence”, he emphasized.
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In company of the President General of Olu-Owerri were Associate Professor Charles Ugwuegbulam, the national vice president of Olu-Owerri;Hon Mrs Amarachi Ogbonna, the National woman Leader of Olu-Owerri; Hon Chinasa Nwaete, the National Assistant Secretary; Hon Ejike Ekemonye, the Coordinator Special Citizens and Hon Mrs Ngozi Nzewuodo, the deputy women leader of Olu-Owerri.
