The Ebonyi State Government has condemned a reported protest in Abuja against Governor Francis Nwifuru, describing the demonstration and narratives surrounding it as politically motivated.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Ikeuwah Omebeh, stated this while briefing journalists at his office at the Old Government House, Abakaliki on Wednesday.
Omebeh said although the Nwifuru administration remained open to criticism, such criticism should be based on facts and evidence rather than what he described as misinformation.
He said the reported protest and some narratives surrounding it were “laughable and poorly coordinated,” adding that they appeared to be directed at the governor and his administration.
According to him, the government recognizes and respects citizens’ constitutional rights to express their opinions and engage in peaceful protests, but such rights should not be exploited to mislead the public or create unnecessary tension.
“While the government recognizes and respects the constitutional rights of citizens to express their opinions and to engage in peaceful protests, it is important to state clearly that such rights should not be abused or exploited by individuals and groups whose objective is to deliberately mislead the public, create unnecessary tension or diminish the tremendous progress being recorded across the state,” he said.
Omebeh urged Ebonyi residents to remain calm and discerning, saying they should disregard narratives that were not supported by facts, evidence or the realities on the ground.
He said Nwifuru’s administration had, since assuming office, invested in infrastructure, education, healthcare, human capital development, workers’ welfare, rural development, empowerment programmes and social interventions.
He attributed the administration’s policies to its “People’s Charter of Needs” philosophy, which he said placed the interests and welfare of residents at the centre of governance.
Omebeh said political opposition was expected in a democratic system but argued that criticism should not be based on what he described as propaganda or misinformation.
“What is unacceptable, however, is the attempt to substitute facts with propaganda, development with misinformation, and constructive criticism with politically motivated attacks,” he said.
The commissioner said the government was particularly concerned about narratives that could distract residents from projects and programmes being implemented across the state.