The
attention of His Excellency, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has been drawn to a seeming
orchestrated campaign apparently originating from the social media to smear his
hard earned reputation.
On
Saturday, August 28, this year,a Facebook broadcast titled “SGF; OGBONNAYAONU AND VAINGLORIOUS NIGERIANS” allegedly at the
instance of one AjayiTemitope was circulated in the social media without his
knowledge and consent.
In
it, Dr. Onu was falsely and perhaps maliciously credited as having told an
unnamed friend of Mr. AjayiTemitope in a 35minute telephone conversation that
prior to the announcement of appointments into the offices of Chief of Staff to
the President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, among other
positions, he (Dr.) Onu was informed by Mr. President of his intended action
and why he would not be chosen for appointment as SGF.
The
Facebook broadcast further falsely credited Dr. Onu with expressing regrets
about how his Abuja residence had become “a mecca of sorts” for those seeking
patronage from him in anticipation of his appointment as SGF and lamented that
soon after the announcement was made without his being appointed to serve in
the exalted capacity, his residence became deserted.
For
the avoidance of doubt, it has become important to state in strong terms that
Dr. Onu never expressed the views credited to him in the Facebook broadcast as
no such conversation ever took place between him and our respected Mr.
President. He could not have, therefore, communicated a nonexistent
conversation to another person, more so an unnamed individual on telephone. Accordingly,
it is false, cheap and utterly in bad faith.Already, Dr. Onu has personally
issued a rebuttal on the matter which has been circulated in the social media in a Press Statement dated August 30, 2015.
However,
it has become necessary to issue the foregoing clarification in view of ongoing
efforts in some sections of the print and electronic media to further allude to
the same phony Facebook broadcast without verifying the proof of its
authenticity.Needless to add that such is capable of misleading the general
public and by implication, injure the well-known integrity and honour which Dr.
Onu holds sacred and guards jealously.
At
this juncture, it is important to recall that soon after the inauguration of
President Muhammadu Buhari on May 29, this year, the social media was awash
with the purported “news” of his “appointment” as Secretary to the Government
of the Federation.
Specifically
on May 31, this year, a spurious Twitter account surfaced in his name where he
was quoted as having “thanked God and the good people of Nigeria for this
opportunity to serve”.This was despite the fact that Dr. Onu does not own or
operate a personal Twitter account, thus prompting him to disclaim the
broadcast in a Statement dated June 1, 2015, which was circulated in the social
media.
As
one of the founding National Leaders of All Progressives Congress, APC, it is
his conviction that nothing should be done to injure the rights of citizens to
free speech, especially in a democracy. However, in the exercise of such
rights, care and respect must be observed to ensure that it is done within the
ambit of the law, guided by respect for the truth, good conscience and
sincerity of purpose.
It
is hoped that in all circumstances, more so in a democracy, the truth should
not be twisted to serve pre-determined ends nor should the rights of
individuals be muzzled to score cheap political points.
Finally,
Dr. Onu reaffirms his faith in our democracy as the immutable vehicle of popular
choice for a new Nigeria, where though tribe and tongue may differ, as brothers
and sisters, united in the pursuit of a common destiny, we must continue to
stand firm, resolute and together.
Sunny Onyeukwu
Former
Chief of Staff to Dr. OgbonnayaOnu
August
31, 2015.
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