By Roland Ike, Abakaliki
Jude Okpor, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation has said that Governor Francis Nwifuru never vowed not to accommodate his political opponents who indicate interest in his administration.
Okpor made the remark in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday, describing such reports as “false, myopic and ill-intended.”
The Commissioner said Nwifuru never said he would not accommodate Chief Chukwuma Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Prof Bernard Odoh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
“The state government notes with utter dismay, reactions from distorted reports over Governor Nwifuru’s address to stakeholders on his ultimate electoral victory at the Supreme Court.
“It is unfortunate that the well-intended and articulate address was mischievously lifted in part and quoted out of context by such media representatives,”
Okpor noted that the reports said Nwifuru vowed not to forgive, accommodate or work with the PDP and APGA candidates who challenged his victory in the courts.
“To set records straight, the governor in his usual forthrightness, simply narrated the tortuous experiences he had while following the avoidable litigations in the courts.
“The Governor expected his opponents to abide to their words of ceasing litigations which they pledged after meetings with them.
“He merely expressed dissatisfaction with one of them who reneged on his words by serving him a suit notice, a day after their meeting.”
Okpor said that the governor considered such action as contradictory to the values of integrity and reliability.
“The governor regretted that the prolonged litigations inconvenienced the government and people, wishing it never took place.
“Nwifuru however, never condemned his opponents for seeking redress according to their conscience, in courts of competent jurisdiction.
“The governor as a practical democrat, reached out to his opponents after his electoral victory but such was unfortunately rebuffed”,.
He noted that Nwifuru without relenting, still approached them individually to sheathe their swords but they were still recalcitrant.
“The public should disregard such distorted representations as the governor will always preserve the peace and unity of the state.
“He summed his disposition to accommodate everyone by apologising on his opponents behalf for the people to forgive them.”
