A former governor of Imo State and ex-Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has distanced himself from a purported letter allegedly written to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, requesting the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Recall that an Appeal Court had last week discharged the IPOB leader, ordering his release from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and faulting his extraordinary rendition from Kenya by the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. Reports had emerged claiming Ihedioha, a close ally to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, had asked AGF Malami not to release the pro-Biafra activist from DSS detention. Reacting in a swift statement titled, ‘Ihedioha Speaks: When Silence is not Golden’, the former governor denied involvement, link, or writing any such letter. While describing it as the handwork of mischief makers, Ihedioha said that the report involving him in the purported letter was aimed at discrediting and making him look ordinary before the people of Imo State. The former lawmaker claimed that those behind the fake letter are those that stole his mandate, adding that those carrying out the campaign of calumny against him are doing so at the behest of the "same man who was imposed on Imo State." Ihedioha said: “I consciously yielded to the maxim that silence is golden, so as not to inflame passion in our dear state. But there comes a time when silence is no longer golden. That time is now. “I have remained a bigger nemesis hence the unceasing campaign of calumny with the sole purpose of damaging my reputation and putting a wedge between me and Imolites. In doing this, they have forged documents, concocted voice messages perjured, and maximized social media by throwing mud to see if anyone sticks. “They use issues that are very dear to our people in this nefarious project. Two of such devious acts were a purported voice of me making threats and a letter, also purportedly written by me to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, advising him not to honour the Appeal Court judgment that discharged and acquitted Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra so as not to imperil the 2023 elections. “It is laughable and preposterous, knowing my background and predicament that I will be writing to the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation, asking him to continue to illegally hold on to Nnamdi Kanu even after a court of competent jurisdiction had discharged him. What benefits will such a letter confer on me in a matter of such public concern, sensitivity, and volatility? How does that make sense? "While Nigerians are aware that those who can forge polling results for manufactured votes can forge anything, I have decided not to keep silent again in the face of this criminal defamation of my character because as we inch closer to the 2023 elections, the evil machinations will intensify. “I am not unduly worried, though, because our people know better. But we can no longer allow criminality to reign supreme. I, therefore, urge the security agencies to investigate those behind this blatant forgery and bring them to justice. Criminality should not be elevated to an art of governance. Imolites deserve better."This article was originally published on Naija News
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