The Ebonyi State government has vehemently denied allegations that Governor Francis Nwifuru was involved in any attempt to bribe members of the judiciary or their representatives to manipulate the course of justice. The state government refuted the claims made by Ambassador Paschal Oluchukwu, the president of the Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural in the Diaspora (AEISCID), who alleged that the government planned to offer a bribe of N1 billion to the state election petitions tribunal.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abakaliki, the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Engr Jude Okpor, dismissed the allegations as mischievous and false. He emphasized that the state government holds great respect for the judiciary and its Lordships, and their unshakeable confidence in the Nigerian judicial system remains unwavering.
Governor Nwifuru has no reason to be apprehensive about the outcome of the cases in the election tribunal, as he was overwhelmingly elected into office by the people of Ebonyi State, along with other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The commissioner expressed confidence in the integrity and impeccable character of the tribunal judges, stating that they would never stoop so low as to demand or accept any form of financial inducement.
Okpor criticized the individuals who hired Ambassador Paschal, who was not present in Ebonyi State during the elections, to make libelous statements against the tribunal judges and the entire Nigerian judiciary. He accused them of prioritizing personal gains over the integrity of Nigeria’s reputation on the international stage, solely for the purpose of scoring cheap political points.
The commissioner stressed that the state government welcomes constructive criticism but firmly denounced baseless allegations against the current and previous governors, describing them as infantile, misleading, and diversionary. He affirmed that Governor Nwifuru has consistently extended olive branches to address the concerns of those who feel aggrieved by the election outcomes.
The Ebonyi State government remains committed to upholding the principles of justice and fairness, and it reiterates its trust in the Nigerian judicial system. The governor and his administration are focused on serving the people of Ebonyi State and promoting the overall development of the region.
