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| Dave Umahi. |
Governor
David Umahi of Ebonyi State, on Wednesday banned the Correspondents of The Sun
newspaper, Chijioke Agwu, and that of Vanguard Newspaper, Peter Okutu, from
entering the Government house and Government facilities in the State for life.
The
Governor who made the statement in a statewide live broadcast aired in the
State’s Television and Radio stations said he was displeased with the
leadership of Nigeria Union of Journalists, for failing to discipline their
members.
He
had last week Saturday ordered the arrest of The Sun Correspondent, Chijioke
Agwu, over a report he did on the Lassa Fever outbreak in the state but was
later released.
Three
days later, Mr. Peter Okutu, was arrested on the orders of Ohaukwu LGA
Chairman, Mr. Clement Odah, over a report he did on the alleged military
invasion of Umuogodoakpu-Ngbo community in the council area and was later
released.
Governor
Umahi who said the safety of Journalists in the State could no longer be
guaranteed by him noted that the people were angry with the Journalists and
might begin to unleash mayhem on them if they continue to cause panic in the
state.
According
to him, if you think you have the pen, we have the koboko and “I want to say
that I am very displeased with the president and leadership of the Nigeria
Union of Journalists and I am going to seize their allowances for two months
because they have failed to discipline their members.
“Ebonyi
State is no longer a dumping ground. Only the other day, Chijioke Agwu
(referring to The Sun Correspondent) wrote that Lassa Fever is killing Ebonyi
people in droves and few days back, Mr Peter Okutu of Vanguard did his own.
Okutu
is fond of degrading Ebonyi State, and I don’t know why my officials have
allowed him to continue to do that, because he is not from Ebonyi State.
I
want to ban him for life with Chijioke Agwu. I don’t want to see them anywhere
in any Government facility.
“We
are not begging you to give us good report, because the only person that gives
good or bad report is God. We are all accountable to him. If you think that
Ebonyi State is a dumping ground, try it again.
“If
you think you have the pen, we have the koboko. Let’s leave the Court alone.
Ebonyi people are very angry with the press and let me warn that I won’t be
able to control them or know when they unleash mayhem on you, if you continue
to write to create panic in the State.
“I
want you to write it that way, that I said, press in Ebonyi is trying to create
another COVID that is more dangerous and that is to create panic in our people.
“The
other one wrote that cholera has killed 20 people in Ohaukwu. If you try it
again, I may not know when Ebonyians may react. This is important for the NUJ
to know.
“If
you are an Ebonyi man or live in Ebonyi and you don’t feel our pains, it is a
shame on you. Maybe, the press people claim they are untouchable. I have
reported to the National President of NUJ, I have reported to State leadership
of NUJ and I have reported to the public. Now, the dye is cast.
May
God save us, in the course of time”
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