Anambra State governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has said that attacks against him by opposition elements in the state would no longer be tolerated.
In a press release signed by his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, and made available to journalists on Thursday, Soludo said he would no longer tolerate smear campaigns against his person or government as their actions rack of desperation to take his seat as next year’s election approaches.
Aburime said: “The increasing actions by opposition elements in Anambra State, characterised by unscrupulous political desperation and the deployment of toxic propaganda via sponsored false narratives, fake news and staged videos, are patently subversive and worthy of unequivocal condemnation.
“The relentless orchestrated attacks against Governor Charles Soludo are attaining reprehensible heights, as well as despicable depths of political harassment which will no longer be tolerated.”
Recently, there have been videos on social media showing a water vendor supplying water to boost a recently constructed water fountain in Onitsha, and persons touted to be enforcement officials of the state government using pestles to beat up alleged thugs they apprehended.
Opposition elements had also accused Soludo of opening a detention camp where such people were being tortured. But Soludo denied the allegation, insisting that there were propaganda by persons who are desperate to govern Anambra.
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In the press release, Aburime said: “These tactics, aimed solely at scoring cheap political points against the incumbent government, only undermine the integrity of our democratic development and erode public order.
“As the next gubernatorial election approaches, it is obvious that opposition politicians are envious of Governor Soludo’s impressive achievements, hence their resort to an onslaught of spurious write-ups and fabricated videos, seeking to mislead the public and tarnish the image of a man whose leadership has brought tangible benefits to the state.
“Let it be unequivocally stated that Governor Soludo has never, and will never, engage in such reprehensible practices. The very notion of secret detention camps and torture is anathema to the principles of democracy, justice, and human rights that Governor Soludo upholds.
“His administration operates with the highest regard for the rule of law, ensuring that all actions are transparent, accountable, and within the bounds of legality and human dignity.
“The proliferation of these fabrications is a calculated attempt by the opposition to distract from their lack of substantive policy proposals to add achievements.
“Unable to match Governor Soludo’s record, they resort to creating and spreading malicious content in a bid to sway public opinion through scaremongering and misinformation. This tactic not only undermines the democratic process but also disrespects the collective intelligence and discernment of Anambra’s citizens,” Aburime said.
