By Gladys Ekwu
The people and government of Anambra state have expressed surprise over SaharaReporters, an online publication, claiming that Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State is one of two governors who allegedly financed the re-arrest of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).
Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba said this on behalf of Governor Willie Obiano.
According to him, the SaharaReporters publication was based on a statement credited to one Emma Powerful, the IPOB spokesman.
C. Don Adinuba said: “we are also surprised that SaharaReporters could publish such a statement without bothering to hear from the Anambra State government in order to balance its story. A cardinal principle of journalism is to always hear the other side”.
’If the online newspaper had attempted to speak to any state government official, it would certainly have stepped down the story because it is not worth the space allotted to it”.
According to the Nigerian government, Mazi Kanu was rearrested last month in an operation by Interpol and the Nigerian Intelligence Agency.
The Commissioner noted that, as a subnational government, the Anambra state administration does not deal with any of these two organisations either directly or indirectly.
He added that the question of Anambra State financing their operations makes neither reason nor rhythm.
“It is also surprising that Emma Powerful has yet to deny the statement ascribed to him, suggesting that he, indeed, made the allegation”.
