Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has warned opposition figures against defamation following a viral social media video alleging that he ordered a political party to be denied the use of a private facility for its town hall meeting.
Mbah dismissed the allegation as false, insisting that he did not issue any such directive, while cautioning that freedom of expression in a democracy should not be used as a licence to defame others.
In a statement reacting to the video, the governor described the allegation as “preposterous and utter falsehood,” maintaining that he had no involvement in preventing the political party from using the facility for its event.
“My attention has just been drawn to a video circulating on some social media platforms, alleging that I gave an order denying a political party use of a private facility for their townhall event. This is preposterous and utter falsehood, because I did not,” he said.
The governor also criticised what he described as the opposition’s attempt to attract public attention through the allegation.
“This is shameful and reveals a desperate pattern adopted by the opposition to attract attention,” Mbah stated.
He stressed that although freedom of expression was guaranteed under democracy, it did not confer an unrestricted right to make defamatory statements against individuals.
“There’s no doubt that democracy guarantees freedom of expression. It should be noted, however, that it does not grant anyone the right to defamation,” the governor said.
Mbah further noted that democratic institutions and processes provide avenues for individuals to seek redress when they believe they have been wronged, rather than resorting to statements he considers defamatory.
“Democracy also offers avenues to seek redress. So, let it be known that there are redlines that should never be crossed,” he added.
