By AFAM ILOUNOH.
Our attention has been drawn to a story published in Elombah.com, entitled “Anambra Guber: President Jonathan Withdraws Ifeanyi Ubah’s Kerosene License”. The story claimed that “The source noted that the Anambra born government contractor, Arthur Eze who is doing all within his power to see the election nullified and given to his candidate Tony Nwoye has been offered a juicy deal by the presidency to make sure he backs out of his pursuit. This deal we gathered will ensure that the kerosene license granted Ifeanyi Ubah is withdrawn from him and given to the multi billionaire, Arthur Eze”.
Those who planted that falsehood just to spite Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah and maybe drive a wedge between him and Prince Arthur Eze in the concerted effort to see that the right thing is done by allowing every Anambra voter a choice in who becomes his Governor, may not see the collateral damage they want to cause. Above all, they have maligned the good name of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. But the truth is that the President is not that petty. He does not indulge in witch hunting neither does he indulge in vendetta. He is a father to all and encourage all citizens of Nigeria equally to pursue legitimate business.
He belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party of Nigeria (PDP) and has not attempted to force Ubah to belong to his party or any other one or to support any party in particular. This remains true till this moment. And as far as I know, he does not partake in such blackmail. He ran for a presidential election in 2011 and won deservedly; not even then did he engage in such pettiness, blackmail and highhandedness. So, why should he stoop so low now? The President deserves more respect than the author of this base article want to portray.
Dr. Ubah also wishes to condemn in equal terms the veiled attack on Prince Arthur Eze, a notable politician and businessman in his own right who by dint of hard work has scaled the heights of both worlds. His respect is secure in my heart, in Anambra, in Igboland and Nigeria. Idle gossipers cannot denigrates him in order to cause friction between us.
In as much as I respect the blogger that published the story, I wish to advise the Editor to please cross-check what his contributors send to him before giving such the treatment that a news item, as opposed to a virulent opinion, deserves. Beyond that, I encourage him to continue with the good work he is doing.
