The Ebonyi State government has vehemently denied the allegations made by Ambassador Paschal Oluchukwu, the president of the Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural in the Diaspora (AEISCID), that Governor Francis Nwifuru planned to bribe the state election petitions tribunal with a sum of N1 billion. In a press briefing held in Abakaliki, Engr Jude Okpor, the commissioner for information and state orientation, dismissed the accusations as mischievous and false.
Engr Jude Okpor emphasized that Governor Nwifuru has never intended to bribe any member of the judiciary, either directly or through a proxy, to manipulate the course of justice. The state government holds utmost respect for the judiciary and its Lordships, with an unwavering confidence in the Nigerian judicial system.
The commissioner stated, “Our unshakable confidence in the Nigerian judicial system is not in doubt. The governor has no reason to panic over the outcome of the cases in the election tribunal since he was overwhelmingly voted into office alongside other candidates of the APC by the good people of Ebonyi State.”
Governor Nwifuru is fully aware that the tribunal judges are individuals of integrity and impeccable character who would never stoop so low as to demand or accept any form of financial inducement from anyone or any group. It is unfortunate that politicians who faced rejection by the Ebonyi people during the last general elections would resort to hiring someone who was not present in Ebonyi State at the time of the elections to make defamatory statements against the tribunal judges and the entire Nigerian judiciary, merely to gain cheap political mileage.
Engr Jude Okpor criticized Ambassador Paschal for disregarding Nigeria’s integrity before the international community while attempting to please his paymasters. The state government, however, welcomes constructive criticism but finds baseless and unfounded allegations against the current and former governors as infantile, misleading, and diversionary.
The governor is well aware that some individuals are still grappling with the pain of defeat. Nevertheless, it is important to note that he has consistently extended olive branches to those who are aggrieved. The focus should be on meaningful dialogue and reconciliation rather than resorting to false accusations and mudslinging.
The Ebonyi State government remains committed to upholding the principles of justice, fairness, and transparency. Governor Nwifuru trusts in the judicial process and believes that truth and righteousness will prevail in the resolution of any electoral disputes. The government urges all stakeholders to engage in responsible and constructive dialogue for the betterment of Ebonyi State and its people.