– Describes Him As Worst Information Commissioner Ever
Mazi Chinonso Uba, a frontline human rights activist and ace radio broadcaster has accused the Hope Uzodinma administration of denying Imo people their constitutional right to the Freedom of Expression, adding that the government has from its inception used security agencies and other apparatus of state to silence dissenting voices contrary to the principles of true democracy.
Nonso Nkwa, who stated this in a release he issued and made available to the press berated the Imo State Police Command for inviting Barr Agu for questioning over his consistent opposition to some of the government’s anti-people programs and policies.
The release said, “The fundamental human rights of Imo citizens to Freely express themselves about how they are being governed have been threatened by the current administration of Sen Hope Uzodimma”.
Nonsonkwa who has been ambushed twice and abducted by the Nigerian police at the instance of the current APC led government for expressing himself on the happenings in the state, described the freedom of expression in Imo state as dead under the current Uzodimma led government.
He recalled that currently he is still in court with the government over the illegal Activities of Ebubeagu operatives in Imo State especially in Orlu Zone.
The vocal Activist maintained that the governor or whoever is fronting for him has no right to stop the people from freely expressing themselves on how they are being governed, stressing that doing so,amounts to infringement on the fundamental rights of the citizens.
He went further to posit that the current Commissioner of information and strategy has gone down in history as the worst Commissioner ever since the creation of Imo state in 1976 .
” This was a man who was saved by the media and the court when he ran into trouble as a House of Assembly member under Udenwa. This was the man who was said to be a professional journalist but unfortunately since he took over as information commissioner 5 years ago,has done nothing but divide Imo journalists, clamp down on opposition voices, use fake groups to write malicious petitions against those he perceived as enemies of the governor.
He added that the current Commissioner of information has caused more harm than good to the current government by his constant fight with opposition and critics of this government. It appears that the governor is enjoying such negativity .
Nonsonkwa who has been a strong critic of this administration since 2020 stated that the government can only arrest ,detain or even imprison critics but can never stop criticisms!
“Any government afraid of criticism has skeleton in her cupboard. If you criticise the government, the information commissioner would tag it INCITING THE PUBLIC. Very laughable indeed.
Imo State, they have fought so hard to silence some of us,but its not Easy to silence a believer in good governance, fairness and justice “
Nonsonkwa said.
According to him, Imo belongs to all imo citizens and no one has the prerogative to shut the people up from expressing themselves, despite the threat.
He condemned the use of state power to intimidate dissent voices ,describing it as barbaric, wickedness and height of illiteracy.
” Imo Government is notorious in using Tiger Base in Intimidating Opposition and stampeding their right to freedom of expression. If this continues, the Nepal action might not be far away. ” He said
The Mbaitoli born Media personality insisted that the invitation of Barr Agu to appear before the XSquad Unit of the Imo State Police Command is an invitation to all Imolites, Lawyers and of course all Activists in the South East.
He made it clear that multitude of people will accompany Barr Agu on that day to answer the police invitation.
” We all are going with Barr Agu, Intimidation to one is Intimidation to all. I urge all Civil Societies,Rights groups and Lawyers and of course Ndi Imo to troop out enmass in solidarity with Barr Agu and Join him to the State Police Command on Wednesday “,He concluded.
