Youth Group condemns campaign of calumny against Umahi 

….demands investigation 

By Uchenna Okeh 

The Nigeria Youth Organisation (NYO) has expressed deep concern over  online videos and social media commentaries against Works Minister, David Umahi by one Mrs. Tracy Ohiri which it said was aimed at discrediting him.

The organization said in one of the videos currently trending across multiple digital platforms, Mrs. Ohiri made remarks which not only sought to malign the Minister but also extended disparaging commentary towards the prosecutorial authority involved in ongoing legal processes, going as far as describing the prosecutor as a criminal.

In a statement signed by its President, Okorie C. Okorie and Secretary, Oluwabukunmi Awolola , the organization observed that a  careful review of the said publications reveals speeches that are largely incoherent and videos that are inconsistent in both content and presentation. 

“Notably, the commentator has also been inconsistent with respect to the dates and figures of money allegedly owed — at one instance alleging a sum of ₦25,000,000 and at another ₦250,000,000, while also variously referencing timelines of 3 years, 9 years and 12 years — thereby raising further concerns as to the credibility of the claims being propagated in the public space.

“While the Nigeria Youth Organisation respects the constitutional right of every Nigerian to freedom of expression, we strongly condemn the growing trend of reckless, unsubstantiated and potentially coordinated online attacks targeted at public officials who are actively engaged in national development efforts.

“We advise Nigerians to exercise caution in consuming digital content and to refrain from believing everything encountered online without undertaking basic and responsible verification.

“We are particularly concerned by the timing, pattern and amplification of these commentaries, which raise legitimate questions as to whether such publications are spontaneous expressions of opinion or part of a sponsored attempt to distract and undermine the ongoing infrastructural reforms being championed by the Honourable Minister of Works. 

“Nigerians must guard against being swayed by sentiment and emotional manipulation capable of distorting objective public discourse.

“If indeed Mrs. Tracy Nicholas Ohiri believes she has a valid cause of action against the Honourable Minister, the appropriate forum for ventilating such grievances remains a court of competent jurisdiction and not the court of social media opinion.

“Senator David Nweze Umahi has, since assumption of office, distinguished himself through measurable performance in the execution and revitalisation of critical road infrastructure across the federation.

“His stewardship in the works sector has attracted commendation from stakeholders across professional, civic and youth constituencies. He undoubtedly deserves accolades for the giant strides he has recorded so far rather than the vilification arising from sponsored emotional and blackmailing contents.

“At a time when Nigeria requires focused leadership and sustained commitment towards economic recovery through infrastructural development, the Nigeria Youth Organisation considers any deliberate attempt to derail performing public servants through orchestrated misinformation campaigns as deeply regrettable and inimical to national progress.

“Accordingly, we call on the relevant security and regulatory agencies to investigate the origin, intent and possible sponsorship behind these trending publications in order to ascertain whether they form part of a coordinated digital misinformation campaign designed to discredit a serving public official and impede ongoing developmental initiatives.

“The Nigeria Youth Organisation wishes to reiterate its unwavering support for accountability, due process and responsible civic engagement. However, such engagement must be pursued within the bounds of decency, truth and national interest.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Nigerian youths will resist any attempt to coerce or pressure the Minister into making any form of payment outside the dictates of the law, and should any such payment be made without due judicial pronouncement, we shall not hesitate to seek appropriate legal redress in a court of competent jurisdiction”, the organization said.