A socio-cultural organisation, Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum, has called on security agencies in Ebonyi State to arrest, a social media critic, Mr. Cajetan Njoku, over what it described as false and malicious publication against Governor Francis Nwifuru.
In a statement signed by its national president, Comrade Chibueze Elom and Hon Chidi Ogbonna titled “Refutation of Watery Campaign of Calumny Against Builder Prince Francis Ogbonna” it said that the group has taken note of the foul language used against two former governors of the state, Chief Martin Elechi, his wife and Senator David Umahi among others in the said publication.
The social media critic, Mr. Njoku had in a publication captioned, “Ethnic capture in Ebonyi: A crisis of justice under Governor Nwifuru’s Watch, A Call for urgent intervention: The dangerous political bias brewing in Ebonyi State” raised issues of marginalization and lopsidedness in appointments and election of traditional rulers in Izzi clan.
The group noted that under Governor Nwifuru’s administration, there has never been any form of ethnicity, kindred dichotomy and clan marginalization since his assumption of office, as against the insinuation of the author that the peace and unity of Ebonyi were under threat.
“It is noteworthy that Ebonyi state under Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has witnessed widespread of both appointive and elective positions across boards meritoriously, irrespective of clan, geopolitical zone.”
The youth group dismissed the claim by Njoku on the procedure of producing a traditional ruler in Izzi clan adding that it was not kindred-based, but based on the opinion of the masses.
“From time immemorial, the Constitution of the Traditional stool in the Izzi clan has never been kindred-based. Usually, a traditional ruler emerges from a given community through the support of the masses, which has to do with an open declaration.”
They also expressed concern why the Minister of Works, David Umahi, should be dragged into a matter of ethnicity, kindred dichotomy and clanishness which they said doesn’t concern him adding that the people of Ebonyi South are adequately represented in the current administration of Governor Nwifuru.
“We are aware that there is a section of this false publication wherein the writer followed an incendiary rhetoric by dragging in the Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi and the good people of Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone, who just passed on the baton of Governance to the people of Ebonyi North.”
While declaring that they would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the right thing was done, the Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum urged security agencies to arrest Cajetan Njoku over seditious publication against former governors of Ebonyi State.
But in a swift reaction, Mr. Njoku challenged the group to dispute his claim by presenting a comprehensive, verifiable list of all current political appointees, elected officials, traditional rulers, IGR contractors, and market lot leaders in Izzi, Ebonyi, and Abakaliki LGAs—classified by their kindred group: Igbojima or Unwuera.
