Skip to main content

Ban on Journalists: Call Umahi to order, Ebonyi indegenes in Diaspora tells PDP


By Aviashima. Toom
 

A group identified as the Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in the Diaspora (AESID) has called on the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to call the Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi, to order over the recent ban on two Journalists in the state and other misgovernance.

The group believes actions by the governor is capable of marketing the party and bringing misfortune to it.

In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Monday, the chairman of the group, Pascal Oluchukwu, said the PDP has a duty to caution its Ebonyi State governor against what he described as “undemocratic practices and ensure that his actions, on behalf of the party, do not undermine its enviable democratic credentials.”

“The recent disgraceful and most unwarranted ban placed on two Journalists deployed to cover Ebonyi State by the management of Vanguard and The Sun Newspapers respectively is not ideal of a Democratic Party which PDP represent.

“The Journalists were being punished not because of their incompetence but because they have demonstrated independent reasoning and have refused to be corrupted or intimidated on the discharge of their duties.

“The PDP needs to caution Governor Dave Umahi against making unguarded and careless utterances capable of undermining the democratic gains of the party in the state.

“People will not forget in a hurry the example of the gag order issued by Umahi to the Civil Servants in the state recently not to speak out against any government policy however unpopular, the governor threatened to risk to fire such public officer from the Civil Service job.

“We call on the national leadership of the PDP to rise up to the challenges imposed on its peculiar position to rein on the governor and ensure that he remains respectful of democratic norms in leading the government and people of Ebonyi state on its behalf.

“We believe that for the PDP to safeguard its democratic reputations it must not overlook obvious disrespect for the rule of law and must therefore brings Governor Dave Umahi to book, and caution his approach. You can not halt freedom of speech, or ban Journalists from going about their constitutional rights. If the PDP refuses to caution Governor Umahi, he will mortgage the Ebonyi state to the APC; and we all know what that means for the 2023 general elections.” The group said.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tinubu’s campaign coordinator dumps APC for ADC

Image
A former campaign coordinator for President Bola Tinubu, Aliyu Saulawa, has officially left the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), ahead of the 2027 general elections. The defection took place on Sunday in Katsina, during the inauguration of the ADC’s state chapter Saulawa, who once served as the Director of Media for the Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation and National Coordinator of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Movement, said he could no longer continue with the ruling party due to its failure to address key issues, especially in the North. He pointed to insecurity, economic struggles, and unfulfilled promises as reasons for his decision. The event in Katsina saw hundreds of members from the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) also dump their parties to join the ADC. The gathering, held at the Continental Event Centre, was led by Dr Mustapha Inuwa and attracted defectors from all 34 local govern...
Read more

“Let’s Test Popularity,” Byuan Challenges Alia for Benue APC Ticket

Image
By Aviashima Toom  A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, Mathias Byuan, has declared that he will not step down for the incumbent governor, Hyacinth Alia, ahead of the 2027 general elections. Byuan made the declaration on Monday in Abuja shortly after submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms to the party’s leadership. He reaffirmed his determination to contest the APC governorship ticket against Alia, whom he also faced during the party’s 2023 primaries. His position comes amid ongoing reconciliation efforts within the Benue APC, where party leaders have reportedly pushed for the endorsement of all incumbent officeholders seeking re-election. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, had earlier suggested that elected officials from the State Assembly to the National Assembly—should be supported to return alongside the governor. However, Byuan dismissed the idea of an autom...
Read more

Flood Alert: Benue Basin Water Levels Near Flood, designates camps in 18 Local Government

Image
From Aviashima Toom, Abuja  SAHEL ReportersNews: Benue State Government and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) have raised the alarm saying the rising water levels along the River Benue Basin have neared flooding any moment from now. Towards this end, the Benue State Government has designated camps in 18 Local Government Areas to shift would-be victims of flood. Data released by NIHSA yesterday showed a steady increase in water levels, approaching the flood threshold. “Water levels recorded at key gauge stations are alarming, with Wuro Boki at 6.36 metres and Jimeta Bridge at 5.04 metres. “Ibbi station stands at 8.2 metres, Makurdi at 9.4 metres, and Lokoja (Niger River) at 8. 68 metres,” the report said. It noted that the rising waters, especially at Makurdi and Ibbi, had placed the River Benue Basin on high alert. The agency advised immediate preventive measures in states along the river, particularly those previously identified as flood-prone. “The wat...
Read more