Victor Ezeja
Former Governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has debunked rumours circulating on social media that he has switched to the Islamic faith.
A picture of Hon. Ihedioha went viral on Thursday alleging that he has switched his Christian faith.
A statement by Ihedioha’s Media Aide, Chibuike Onyeukwu, indicated that he only went to join his friend, the Governor of Sokoto State Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, during the funeral rite of his elder brother, Alhaji Mohammadu Bello (Wazirin Tambuwal) on Wednesday.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelOnyeukwu stated that while Ihedioha has great respect for all faiths, he is not only a committed Christian but also a Knight of the Anglican Church, which everyone knows.
He dismissed the social media posts as fake orchestrated by mischief makers who deliberately want to disseminate falsehood and malign the reputation of the former governor.
The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a deliberate falsehood and gross misrepresentation of facts, syndicated in the social media alleging that His Excellency Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON has switched his Christian faith.
“This harebrained act of desperation is as malicious and wicked as it is puerile.
“While His Excellency has great respect for all faiths, everyone knows that he is not only a committed Christian but, also a Knight of the Anglican Church.
“For emphasis, His Excellency was only paying his respects to the departed. The picture attached to the viral fake news was taken on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at the Tambuwal family residence in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, where Rt. Hon. Ihedioha joined his longtime friend and Governor of Sokoto State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal CFR, for the funeral rites of his elder brother, Alhaji Mohammadu Bello (Wazirin Tambuwal), who passed on a few days ago.
“We know the desperadoes behind this mischief. Fortunately, the perceptive public know them too.”
He said the mischievous act had played out recently when the social and mainstream media were flooded with reports purporting that Ihedioha had concluded plans to dump Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and alleged that he was nursing an ambition to contest for Senate in the 2023 General Election.
“Unfortunately for these failed political jobbers, the highly discerning and ever vigilant public has stuck with Rt. Hon. Ihedioha despite these orchestrated attacks.
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“It is not in contention that His Excellency Rt. Hon. Ihedioha remains the darling of the people of Imo State. This is because of his candour and outstanding stewardship in the high offices he has held, especially his accomplishments as the Servant-Leader of the PDP-led Rebuild Imo administration.
“However, we know that at the appropriate time, our brothers and sisters of all religious inclinations, will join other well-meaning people of Imo State to give Rt. Hon. Ihedioha a resounding support to reclaim his mandate on the platform of the PDP, a party he has been, not just a foundation member but also a very loyal and strong pillar.
“Hon. Ihedioha has remained the pride of the PDP, not only in Imo State, but nationally. He is a party loyalist without blemish,” Onyeukwu added.
He urged members of the public to disregard such “smear campaigns” and go about their normal businesses and pointed out that what is more important at this point is to focus on ensuring the return to the era of good governance in the state
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
