An alleged plot to smear the name of the Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Special Duties, Sir Jude Ejiogu, has been uncovered by the Owerri Zone Youths Forum. The group in a statement issued in Owerri, the Imo State capital, however, warned those behind the alleged plot to beat a retreat or face the consequences. The statement, a copy of which was made available to News Express, was signed by the President, Barr Uzoma Chinenye; Secretary, Dr. Jude Okwuoma; and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Chinaka Okechukwu. It reads as follows:

“Our attention has been drawn to orchestrated and devilish plans by some high ranking public office holders in Imo State to launch incessant media attack against our highly respected son, leader and a go-getter, Sir Jude Ejiogu.

“Ordinarily, we would have ignored or dismissed these planned attack because of our disposition to always maintain a dignified silence to issues of this nature which we consider insignificant or mischievous.

“However, we are constrained to do a detour off our lane of silence and raise alarm over the seeming impression created by this insensitive plan for the sake of the esteemed person of our son we cherish so much, the Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Special Duties, Sir Jude Ejiogu.

“Information in our disposal revealed that some principal officers from Owerri zone occupying sensitive positions in the state who are envious of the rising political profile of the Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Special Duties, Sir Jude Ejiogu are mobilising their lieutenants, supporters and at the same time, equip them with huge sums of money to disparage, belittle, ridicule and taint the glaring image of our son with petty, frivolous and malicious report on the pages of newspapers as well as using misguided cartoons in a bid to relegate him to the wall.

“It was learnt that this plan to use the media to intimidate, harass and distract our son, Sir Jude Ejiogu has been concluded by these principal officers working in the rescue mission government whom the entire people of Owerri zone regard as fugitive and low-skilled in politics.

“We are reliably informed that the interest behind this latest development is to use the instrumentality of the media to portray Sir Jude Ejiogu as corrupt, wicked and non-social leader in order to score cheap political relevance before our performing Governor, His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha (OON) whose relationship with our son knows no bounds.

“The questions left unanswered remain; why have these highly placed individuals continue to hit up the polity in Imo State with nefarious and unwholesome newspaper publications against our son, Sir Jude Ejiogu, if they do not have evil plans? We also gathered that these bigwigs from Owerri zone have vowed and boasted of having connection with all media houses in the state and beyond hence, they pitched tent in fighting shadows using falsehood against our leader. What a way of playing God!

“We therefore use this medium to warn these elements, desperados, witch-hunters and back-bitters fighting tooth and nail to use the press as instrument of attack against our revered son, leader, bridge-builder and servant-leader, Sir Jude Ejiogu to desist and allow the continued reign of peace in Owerri zone and Imo State at large.

“Finally, we advise them to discontinue with this plan as we cannot fold our hands and watch them hide under the cloak of the media support to destabilise, distract and disparage the shinning image of our son and the entire people of the state. Enough is enough.”

•Photo shows Sir Jude Ejiogu.

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