Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri, has denied some online reports alleging that he accused President Muhammadu Buhari of sectional bias, selective arrest, favouritism and partial application of the judicial system against those involved in agitations across the country.
Diri, who granted an interview to Channels Television morning programme, Sunrise Daily, on Tuesday, described the report as mischievous, false, imaginary and unfounded.
His denial is contained in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mr Ayibaina Duba.
The governor said the report as published by Dailypost, naijanews and nairaland was a figment of the imagination of the publishers of the online mediums.
The statement said: “In the said online publications on news platforms notorious for trading in fake news, it was claimed that His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri, allegedly accused the Federal Government of selective arrest, favouritism and partial application of the judicial system against those involved in agitations across the country. This is far from the truth.
“But for the need to put the record straight, the Bayelsa State government would not have bothered to respond to the unfounded and politically motivated reports, knowing that the public is aware of the penchant of the online mediums for fictitious reportage.”
It said the only truth in the said reports was that the governor was at the Channels Television morning programme, Sunrise Daily.
The governor said that for the 43 minutes that the interview lasted, he did not at any time mention or allude to any arrested persons including the arrested leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, nor did he accuse President Buhari of sectional bias.
The statement added: “Governor Douye Diri only discussed the Southern Governors’ resolution of the previous day, re-emphasising their commitment to one, just and egalitarian Nigeria. He also took some time to talk about what his administration is doing at ensuring prosperity for the citizenry of Bayelsa State.
The governor called on the public to disregard the Dailypost, naijanews and nairaland fictitious reports as they are lies with uncivilised intentions.
