“The fundamental human rights of Imo citizens to freely express themselves about how they are being governed is being threatened by the current administration of Sen Hope Uzodinma”.
The allegation was contained in a Press Release by the International President of Nchekwa Ndi Ogbenye Foundation ( Protect The Weak International Foundation) under the leadership of a front line Activist in the state, Mazi Chinonso Uba popularly known as Nonsonkwa.
The Mbaitoli-born Media executive and Activist made the assertion while responding to the recent invitation to Barr Chinedu Agu, former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association ,NBA ,Owerri branch by the Nigerian Police Imo State Command over his recent assessment of governance in Imo.
Nonsonkwa who has been ambushed twice,also alleged of being abducted by the Nigerian police at the instance of the current APC led government for expressing himself on the happenings in the state, describing the freedom of expression in the state as dead under the current state government.
He recalled that currently he is still in court with the state government over the alleged illegal activities of Ebubeagu operatives in Imo State especially in Orlu Zone.
The vocal Activist maintained that the governor’s Media team has no right to stop the people from freely expressing themselves on how they are being governed, stressing that doing so,amounts to infringement on the fundamental rights of the citizens.
He went further to allege that the current Commissioner of information and strategy may go down in history as the worst Commissioner ever since the creation of Imo state in 1976 .
” This was a man who was saved by the media and the court when he ran into trouble as a House of Assembly member under Udenwa. This was the man who was said to be a professional journalist but unfortunately since he took over as information commissioner five (5) years ago,has done nothing but reportedly engage in dividing Imo journalists, clamping down on perceived opposition voices, using fake groups to write malicious petitions against those he perceived as enemies of the governor.
Nonsonkwa also allege that the current Commissioner of information has caused more harm than good to the current government by his constant fight with perceived opposition and critics of this government.,wondering if the governor is enjoying such negativity .
Nonsonkwa who has been a strong critic of this administration since 2020 stated that the government can only arrest ,detain or even imprison critics but can never stop criticisms!
“Any government that is afraid of criticism has skeleton in her cupboard. If you criticise the government, the information commissioner would tag it Inciting The Public. Very laughable indeed”.
According to him, the mo State government has fought so hard to silence the voice of some of those who speak out,but its not Easy to silence a believer in good governance, fairness and justice “,he insisted.
In his words, Imo belongs to all imo citizens and no one has the prerogative to shut the people up from expressing themselves, despite all the threats.
He condemned the use of state power to intimidate dissent voices ,describing it as barbaric, wickedness and height of illiteracy.
” Imo Government is notorious in using the Tiger Base in Intimidating opposition and stampeding their right to freedom of expression.
The Activist advised that such must abate while calling on the state government to learn from the Nepal action,saying it might not be far away.
The Mbaitoli-born Media personality posited that the invitation of Barr Agu to appear before the XSquad Unit of the Imo State Police Command is an invitation to all Imolites, Lawyers and of course all Activists in the South East.
He made it clear that multitude of people will accompany Barr Agu on that day to answer the police invitation.
” We all are going with Barr Agu, Intimidation to one is Intimidation to all. I urge all Civil Societies,Rights groups and Lawyers and of course Ndi Imo to troop out en masse in solidarity with Barr Agu and join him to the State Police Command on Wednesday ”
