This report is completely false as the National Publicity Secretary never made such a comment at the PDP South East Executive meeting in Enugu on Sunday or any other fora for that matter.
For the avoidance of doubt what Chief Metuh said on the agitation was that Nigerians have the right to demonstrate as long as they do so peacefully and within the ambits of the law. He deplored the actions of some security operatives who reportedly went beyond their brief to attack unarmed protesters and admonished that instead of engaging in show of power on the protesters, such security agents should rather demonstrate their bravery by joining others in fighting insurgents in the Sambisa forest.
We are therefore shocked by the distorted report that appeared in the Daily Trust, which in no way whatsoever reflected the opinion of the National Publicity Secretary.
We are persuaded that this fabricated report may not be unconnected with the schemes by the present administration to set-up and frame the National Publicity Secretary for his outspokenness in highlighting its negatives, for which he has been receiving threats, litigations, blackmails and unfounded allegations from government officials.
But for our conviction that Daily Trust is a credible and highly reputable newspaper, we would have had no other option than to believe that it has lent itself to the orchestrated campaign to silence the National Publicity Secretary.
While we restate the fact that the National Publicity Secretary will in no way be cowed to silence, we urge the media to always cross-check their facts before going to press.
Signed:
Richard Ihediwa
Special Assistant to the
National Publicity Secretary
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