Imo Deputy Governor never slapped me – Hon. Uche Ogbuagu
The lawmaker, Hon. Uche Ogbuagu, member of Imo State House of Assembly representing Ikeduru State Constituency, whose name is being thrown up on various social media platforms, has denied the story the report that he was slapped by Imo Deputy Governor, Engr. Gerald Irona.
Speaking with NewsTrack in a phone conversation described the slapping incident as fake news.
He wondered the benefits people behind the fake news derive by telling blatant lies.
He called on the general public to ignore the said rumour and should regard same as fake news.
Recall that the Imo Deputy Governor had denied the allegation against him, claiming that be had slapped a lawmaker.
His rebuttal was contained a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Dr. Walter Duru, urging the general public to disregard the report, describing it as lies from disgruntled opposition elements with a view to presenting the deputy governor in bad light.
The statement reads in part, “Our attention has been drawn to a report trending on social media, alleging that the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Gerald Irona, slapped a lawmaker in Imo State.
“The report is not only untrue, but a deliberate effort to present our deputy governor in bad light.
“While some say it happened in a State Executive Council meeting, others say the incident occurred in the chambers of the Imo State House of Assembly.
“Some had even mentioned the name of Hon. Uche Ogbuagu, lawmaker representing Ikeduru state constituency as the one allegedly assaulted.
“Those spreading this falsehood are simply unintelligent and lack basic understanding of how government and its arms work.
“What will a state lawmaker be doing in an Executive Council meeting and what will the deputy governor be doing in the chambers of the State House of Assembly?
“Except on special occasions or on invitation or both, the story does not add up.
“The truth is that no such incident ever occurred anywhere, anytime or any day.
“The general public is advised to disregard the report.”
Source: NewsTrack Nigeria
