The Imo State House of Assembly’s decision to summon Precious Nwadike, publisher of Nigeria WatchDog Newspaper, has sparked outrage. The move comes after the paper published a story deemed defamatory by Ikenna Ihezuo, the lawmaker representing Orlu State Constituency. Critics are decrying the assembly’s actions as an attack on press freedom.
In a united front, the Youth Wing of Ohaneze Ndigbo and CSO have denounced the Imo State House of Assembly’s summons of the newspaper publisher, accusing the lawmakers of abdicating their responsibilities in pursuit of personal vendettas.
Ohaneze Ndigbo’s president, Igboanyaka Igboanyaka, slammed Imo State House of Assembly members for their lack of vision and dedication to their duties, labeling them as self-serving politicians who prioritize personal interests over public good, during a press conference in Owerri.
Igboanyaka Igboanyaka lambasted the House of Assembly members as political neophytes, accusing them of being complacent and negligent in their duties, instead of holding the executive branch accountable for its actions.
“It’s undemocratic to use the State House of Assembly as a tool of personal victimization and a wheel to threaten freedom of Speech to silence the voice of the masses on the current misrepresentation of Imo people by the House of Assembly members.
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“It’s illegal and a demonstration of political illiteracy and lack of proper political education for Imo State House of Assembly to descend so low to bring a whole day just to sit and draft a summon letter to the publisher of WATCHDOG NEWSPAPERS over a publication on the diversion of palliative made for Ndi-Orlu constituency by the House member,” he stated.
The leader of the Ohaneze Youth wing blamed the lawmakers for taking the matter upon themselves when the said publication was not against the general members of the house.
“If Mr Ikenna Ihezuo feels defamation of his character, he should approach a court of competent jurisdiction to debate about the Palliative with Chief Stanley Nwosu(Ochinanwata) who alerted Ndi-Orlu concerning their missing palliative.
It was demanded that the lawmaker desist from chasing illusions and harassing constituents from Orlu, and instead, take immediate action to release all allocated resources and benefits to the people of NDI Orlu State Constituency.
