Fides Media Living the Faith
The response by the Anambra State Government to the attack by hoodlums at a Walk4Health Event in Nnewi, Saturday, February 6, has been described as unfortunate and a regrettable attempt to make political capital out of the matter, reports Jude Atupulazi.
A press statement from the Directorate of Strategy and Media of the VCO Campaign Office, signed by Mr Izu Oraelosi, said it was worrisome and deeply troubling that a state government could issue such a reckless statement rather than condemn the act of violence.
It will be recalled that hoodlums had last Saturday stormed the venue of the Walk4Health Event, the fourth in the series, being organized by Mr Valentine Ozigbo, a frontline gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. Though no one was injured, they destroyed some of the banners put up for the event.
But the statement said it was a development that attracted the condemnation of well-meaning Anambrarians, including some notable PDP aspirants like Senator Uche Ekwunife and Hon Chris Azubogu.
It said, ‘Rather than queuing in to condemn the attack, the Anambra State Government, through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C. Don Adinuba, elected to play to the gallery and make unnecessary political capital out of the unfortunate action by trying to portray PDP as the aggressors and painting them in bad light.
‘This is highly regrettable and smacks of a government bereft of decency.
‘It was also unfortunate that an act of violence perpetrated against a citizen of Anambra State in the domain of Governor Willie Obiano was subjected to such an immature, reckless and unprofessional treatment in his name.’
The statement noted that it was the duty of the Commissioner to positively launder the image of his government, his principal and the state, rather than displaying such ignorance.
‘No responsible government jumps into the fray when any untoward development occurs against any of its citizens and attempts to score cheap political points,’ the statement further read.
It said the state government should have condemned the act and called for investigation by security agencies in order to identify the culprits.
The statement also expressed regret that the state government attempted to disparage Mr Ozigbo who had attained global recognition.
‘The Commissioner’s reaction portrayed the dysfunctionality of a government that has squandered the state’s scarce resources and plunged it into debt.
‘The people of Anambra deserve better and that’s why Ozigbo is on a mission to rescue,’ the statement said, noting that the APGA Government was racing against time following its rejection by the people of the state.