The Director General of the Hope New Media, Dr Paul Ihunanya, has dismissed, as a lie from the pit of hell the story dumped on Imolites and discerning Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu told a group of unnamed Igbo Stakeholders that Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, asked him not to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, from custody.
In a public announcement, Dr Ihunanya drew attention to the plan by unscrupulous opposition to flood the State with series of propaganda against the Governor in the days leading to the November 11 Governorship election.
The story on the Governor, blocking the release of Mazi Kanu, he said, is one of them.
Following, is the full text of the announcement.
BEWARE PROPAGANDA IS BACK IN IMO STATE
“Our attention has been drawn to a series of propaganda stories being circulated by some individuals and groups, which are targeted at discrediting the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma. We wish to state unequivocally that these stories are unfounded, baseless, and without any merit.
“We are aware that these individuals and groups have planned to release several propaganda stories against the Governor which will run successively for until after the election, starting with the alleged manhandle of the NLC president to the current propaganda with the headline “Uzodimma blocking the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kalu- Tinubu”. We wish to state unequivocally that the president never made such statement.
“It is apparent that these political detractors and interlopers are intimidated by the tremendous results of Governor Hope Uzodimma, and the massive support and endorsement of his re-election by the people of Imo State. We urge the public to be wary of these propaganda stories and to disregard them as they are baseless and unfounded.
“The Imo State Government under the shared prosperity leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma is committed to delivering quality governance to the people of the state, and southeast at large and will support any strategic dialogue to see that Mazi Nnamdi Kalu regain his freedom for the betterment of the zone.
“The governor has on several occasions called on Southeast stakeholders to support his strategic dialogue approach for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kalu.
“We, therefore, call on the public to remain calm and vigilant in the face of these propaganda campaigns. The shared prosperity government of Governor Hope Uzodimma will not be distracted from its developmental agenda for the state, and it will continue to work hard to ensure that the people enjoy the dividends of democracy.
“Dr Ezeafurukwe Paul Ihunanya
DG Hope New Media”
