Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has described as “embarrassing, mischievous and totally at variance with the ethics of journalism”, a report credited to the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation by one Chioma Abugu.
Reacting to the report titled “Don’t destroy your reputation with unnecessary endorsement – Ohanaeze advises Obi over LP candidate”, the leadership of Ohaneze urged the public to ignore such, adding that it’s “preposterous, wicked and evil in its entirety.”
Dr. Chidozie Alex Ogbonnia, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in a statement made available to JOURNALIST101 said the “story is false in its entirety and a lie from the pit of hell. For the benefit of doubt, no member of Ohanaeze leadership has ever granted such interview to the said Chioma Abugu.”
Ogbonnia stressed that “Ohanaeze Ndigbo has never suggested to Peter Obi or any other presidential candidate on who to endorse or not at the state level.
“The ethics of true journalism would require that a reporter must have interviewed a person before quoting the person. In this instance, no leader of Ohanaeze has either met the said Chioma Abugu or ever granted such interview to the said Chioma Abugu or any other journalist on the issue of endorsement of a governorship candidate in Enugu state.
“According to the nondescript Chioma Abugu, ‘Obi’s endorsement of Chijioke Edeoga comes to Ohanaeze Ndigbo as a shock. He shouldn’t mar his longtime built reputation because he wants his party to win the guber election at the detriment of the willful choice of the people’.
“The above concoction credited to Ohanaeze Ndigbo is preposterous, wicked and evil in its entirety. Ohanaeze Ndigbo views this reportage seriously and wishes to dissociate itself from the mischievous, malicious and misleading story.
“We call on the general public to ignore this mischievous publication currently trending in the social media with respect to Enugu state governorship election. This is because, a little search suggests that the said Chioma Abugu is really non-existent.”
