“Cloned THISDAY Publication On Uzodimma: Hand Work Of Desperate Elements” – IMSG

The Media Office of Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has reacted to a fabricated mischief meant to deceive the people, purported to be the lead front page story of ThisDay Newspaper of Friday, August 27.

In the childish, cloned, front page lead story, the Governor was quoted as asking Imo girls to marry Fulani Herdsmen, promising he would sponsor such marriages. He was, also, said to have imposed a fine to the tune of One Million Naira, on any parent who would be against such a relationship.

The story, which had since gone viral, is not only fake, a product of a deceased mind, but meant to embarrass the Governor,  and demarket the ThisDay Newspaper brand.

A Press Release signed by the Governor’s Media Adviser/Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, attributed the mischief to desperate politicians who would stoop so low to clone the front page of a National newspaper without a thought to the implications.

The release reads:

“Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has nothing to do with the purported report on a cloned publication of THISDAY of Friday, August 27, 2021 with headline: Shocking: Uzodimma Declares Free Marriage Between Fulani Settlers and Imo Ladies …Promises to pay bride price for herders who choose to marry Imo ladies… Imposes N1m fine to any father who refuses to give consent.

“The originators of the fake publication had two things in mind: to tarnish the image of the Governor, and to destroy the credibility of THISDAY as a brand.

“The ill conceived publication shows how desperate individuals and groups can get in trying to destroy the society, thinking that Governor Uzodimma is the issue.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the real headline of THISDAY the same Friday, August 27 reads:  Buhari Elated as NNPC Breaks Jinx,  Declares N287bn Profit First In 44 Years.

“It is pertinent to note that THISDAY Management confirmed that the publication was cloned and we are confident that they will not allow their hard earned brand and efforts of many years to be bastardised by criminal minded fellows.

“Governor Uzodimma is conscious of the efforts being made by some individuals and groups to tarnish his image and discredit his government but will not be deterred in his determination to provide good governance to the good people of Imo State.

“He is mindful of the enormity of work to do in Imo State after many years of neglect of critical infrastructure due to poor governance, and will stop at nothing to change the narrative for good in the interest of the people.

“The public is, therefore, advised to disregard the cloned publication as coming from depraved minds and enemies of the people and the society.”

Since the advent of Uzodimma as Governor, Imo State has been notorious for fabricated Press Releases in the name of the State Government.  But the cloning of the front page of a National Newspaper is a new low.

Such cloning of News magazines’ covers by Government agents was last witnessed during the late General Sani Abacha’s Regime.