Date Published: 12/08/10

Uduaghan say Smear Campaign against him will fail

Emmanuel Uduaghan

Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has warned that smear campaign against him by an online news service, Saharareporters and its sponsors will fail.

Speaking through his campaign organization today, Uduaghan warned that he will take legal action to protect his reputation.

“The Uduaghan Campaign Organization has found it necessary to refute and correct the malicious falsehoods peddled in an online publication, Sahara Reporters.

“The recent allegations of corruption once again expose Sahara Reporters as a mercenary outfit that has no respect for the basic rules of journalism anchored on verification of facts.

“The online publication was done in pursuit of a campaign to malign Governor Uduaghan and Delta State. But we have a responsibility to the public and subscribers to this medium of malice. Without foundation on facts or connection to reality, this time made an unsurprisingly disgusting claims and allegations which, because we have a responsibility to the teeming public and admirers of Governor Uduaghan would have been completely ignored.

“The Sahara Reporters alleged “EFCC investigation of corruption against Governor Uduaghan” . This is a trade-mark of the online service to recycle old and discredited falsehoods.

“Sahara Reporters in a hurry to publish its unverified claims brought odium on itself. It is an established fact that as Secretary to the State Government, the approval limit of Dr Uduaghan was N1 million per month and as such could not possibly have ordered payment of N2 billion to anyone, companies or indeed any interest. This is an outright misinformation and proof of a hatchet job.

“On the three Delta polytechnics, Sahara Reporters also goofed. The Polytechnics project was handled by an interim management Committee comprising eminent scholars and administrators. The contracts award followed due process and was adjudged transparent by the United Kingdom consultants. We challenge the Sahara Reporters to name the “EFCC witness” in this libelous claim

“The Sahara Reporters also alleged that Dr. Uduaghan as Secretary to the State Government over saw and directly ordered distribution of security votes. It is basic commonsense that security issues do not fall within the province of this office. It is entirely the responsibility of the Governor as chief security officer to exercise his authority and discretion based on critical intelligence and proper guidance. This was the normal process followed during that period. No matter the provocation by the hirelings of Sahara Reporters, Dr Uduaghan cannot be compelled to disclose the activities for which the security votes were deployed.

“It is true that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under Nuhu Ribadu invited Dr. Uduaghan as the Secretary to the State Government to give insights into the activities of the Delta State Government, including awards of contracts. During the interview, Dr. Uduaghan answered all questions pertaining to government activities that he had knowledge of, he was given a clean bill of health, enabling him to contest and win the election as Governor of Delta state in 2007.

“Sahara Reporters and their sponsors ought to know that the invitation to Dr Uduaghan by EFCC was at a time Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was the chairman. At the end of Dr. Uduaghan’s session with the anti-graft agency Ribadu was satisfied that Dr. Uduaghan had rendered proper account of his role and the EFCC brought the matter to a close. Why is Sahara Reporters reopening the matter to serve a sinister agenda? We see this as desperate and a futile attempt to tarnish Governor Uduaghan’s image because the Appeal Court in Benin has ordered a re-run of Governorship election in Delta State. But the public is not deceived; they know an innocent man is being persecuted by Sahara Reporters and its sponsors. And they will fail ignominiously.

“The reference to the Federal High Court Asaba exposes the level of ignorance and mischief displayed by Sahara Reporters. The approval for the Asaba High Court was given by the Federal Government several years ago; its take-off was delayed by difficulty in securing the premises. It is malicious to allege that Governor Uduaghan used Delta State funds to set up a Kangaroo court in Asaba. It is not a state government that sets up federal High Courts. It is the practice for all state governments that want federal services to provide the enabling environment for federal institution to take off and the Delta State government has continuously provided such facilities upon request by any federal agency. The Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Immigration Service and the temporary office of the Central Ban of Nigeria are examples.

“The provision of office and residential accommodation for the Federal High Court Asaba was an action taken entirely in the interest of the public but in particular at the behest of members of the Bar Association who hitherto used to travel to Benin City to conduct their cases

“The acquisition of the premises was open and transparent. We also wish to add that Delta State government has gone ahead to provide a land for the construction of a permanent office for the Federal High Court in Asaba.” The statement was signed by Professor G. G. Darah, Director-General of Uduaghan Campaign Organisation.