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

President Tinubu Flags Off Two Major Road Projects in Abuja

Image
By Aviashima Toom, Abuja President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to infrastructure development as a key driver of economic growth and improved living standards, following the flag-off of two major road projects in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The President, represented by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, performed the groundbreaking ceremonies for the construction of two service carriageways of the Southern Parkway in Gaduwa District and the Collector Road CO1 in the Institution and Research District of Abuja. Speaking at the Southern Parkway flag-off, Professor Yilwatda conveyed President Tinubu's message, describing the project as a critical component of the administration's Renewed Hope Agenda and ongoing infrastructure renewal programme. According to the President, the Southern Parkway is one of the most important transportation corridors within Abuja's so...
Read more

Supreme Court to Consider Withdrawal of Omoaje’s Appeal in Action Alliance Leadership Dispute

Image
By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Supreme Court of Nigeria has reportedly fixed November 16, 2026, for proceedings on the withdrawal of an appeal filed by Adekunle Rufai Omoaje over the leadership dispute in the Action Alliance (AA). According to a statement issued by the party’s Media Directorate on behalf of its National Chairman, Chief Barrister Kenneth Udeze, Omoaje has filed a notice of withdrawal dated September 28, 2026, seeking to discontinue Appeal No. SC/CV/162/2024 before the apex court. The appeal challenged an earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/922/2022, which, according to the statement, affirmed the validity of the National Executive Committee led by Udeze. The party said the planned withdrawal and subsequent dismissal of the appeal would mark a significant development in the protracted leadership dispute. It added that the Court of Appeal's judgment remained the basis for its position that the Udeze-led executive was t...
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