Plots to sponsor negative stories by a Governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom State in the media and manufacture lies against the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has been uncovered.
The aspirant is said to be aggrieved because Governor Udom Emmanuel did not unveil him as his preferred Successor.
He is said to have boasted to his supporters that he will create security challenges in Akwa Ibom State and puncture the peace narrative, which the people of the State have come to enjoy and hold dearly unto.
A huge sum of money, running to several millions of naira was said to have been budgeted for the clandestine plot, with the arrowhead said to have received about N75 million to “wet the ground.”
This is coming at a time a militant group gave the State Governor 30 days to rescind the endorsement of Pastor Umo Eno, his Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, or face dire security challenges.
The group had penultimate week, issued the dire warning, which was carried on the front pages of all the major national newspapers and social media.
According to a source who was contacted to be a part of the plot, alleged that the said aspirant, in his desperation to demonize the State Governor, recruited a prominent journalist from the state who is based in Lagos, to reach out to online editors and other line editors of major national newspapers to undertake a trip to Akwa Ibom State next Tuesday, February 22, 2020, and inspect the projects executed by the Governor.
One of the journalists contacted, who spoke to our reporter under the condition of anonymity, said he was shocked and surprised that a journalist of such high standard could accept to execute such a hatchet job.
He said; “When I was contacted to meet with the respected journalist for an assignment in Akwa Ibom State, I was excited. I have always loved coming to the State, given the breadth and depth of developments currently going on in the State.
“I was, however, shocked when he told us that our mission would be to dig up negative stories concerning the level of projects completed or ongoing and report the stories in our various media.
“He said he was acting on behalf of a certain aspirant from the ruling party in the State.”
“Of course, most of us, declined the assignment, but I am sure, some other journalists may go along with this evil task. It is quite unfortunate that instead of celebrating what Governor Emmanuel has done for the people of the State, someone would sponsor journalists to report false stories which are aimed at demonizing the Governor. It’s quite sad and deeply troubling” the source added.”
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