– As White Paper Retracts Publication
Chief Greg Obioha, Spokesperson of the Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA), who also doubles as the media aide of a prominent traditional ruler in the state is presently in trouble over a false, mischievous and libelous report that he caused to be published in some newspapers in the state, including the White Paper that has not only published a retraction and tendered apology but also dissociated itself from Obioha’s unprofessional conduct that has negatively affected the media outfit’s corporate image.
According to a report published in the White Paper newspaper edition of Monday, August 4, 2025, “The Management of THE WHITEPAPER MEDIA LTD, wishes to retract the story with the caption “NGWOMA OBUBE ALLEGEDLY BOILING OVER IMPOSITION OF CHINEDU EKEOCHA AS EZE-ELECT…ALEX MBATA ACCUSED OF BEING BEHIND HIM” published in its edition of Friday, August 1, 2025.
The Medium retracts this story and apologizes to Prince Alex Mbata and regrets the damage this story must have caused him.
Since the Whitepaper newspaper came on board, this is the first time the medium would be retracting its story and apologizing to the affected person, because the medium gives premium to professionalism and the rules of engagement”.
It further said, “the News Editor was “was somewhat deceived by the source of the story in question. It’s not out of place for a newspaper to credit a certain degree of confidence and regard to some sources owing to certain factors.
In media business, the source is also expected to enjoy “protection” from the newspaper, but in this case, the source has abused both the confidence and the “protection” privileges. Chief Greg Obioha, who brought the story into contention, is a Journalist with long years of experience. He’s a very senior journalist who is old in the system, both in reporting and in writing. He has also been holding media related positions, both in the Government of the day and in the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers. He’s qualified to enjoy the confidence of media houses that know his pedigree, in the media circle”.
“Like earlier stated, Chief Obioha deserves “protection” of the newspaper under normal circumstances. But in this case, the newspaper can no longer “protect him, since he has abused the confidence the medium has had in him for a very long time.
Again, since 6am today, up till 3pm when this Retraction was written, his phone has remained switched off. And efforts made by the newspaper to talk with him on the development, occasioned by the story he brought, have failed. The newspaper can’t continue to wait for him.
Once again, the newspaper retracts the story in contention, with the referenced title and also tenders apology to Prince Dr. Alex Mbata and all those mentioned in the story. The newspaper regrets the story and whatever pain it must have caused all those mentioned”.
