Okpebholo hyperlinks assault on Edo comic to cult actions

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has damaged his silence on the reported assault on a Benin-based comic, Osagie Idieda, popularly generally known as MC Porkupyne.

DAILY POST recollects that the comic was reportedly attacked within the early hours of October 24 whereas getting back from the birthday celebration of the spouse of an All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain.

Okpebholo spoke on Tuesday when he acquired members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Edo State Council, on the Government House, Benin City.

Okpebholo alleged that intelligence gathered by the federal government linked the reported assault on the comic to cult-related actions.

He described allegations of presidency involvement within the assault as faux information.

“I heard the incident occurred at 1 a.m. I was in Kaduna State when I saw the incident on social media, and they attributed it to the government. This is fake news.

“But intelligence gathering exhibits that it’s cult-related. I requested him concerning the identities of those that attacked him. He instructed me that he did not know them. He mentioned they have been carrying masks. So, if anyone desires to beat you at evening, will they put on a masks?

“When I asked about the number of suspects, he said they were eight. So, you were able to count the number of people who beat you, but you cannot recognise who they are. So, for me, that is fake news,” he mentioned.

The governor urged members of the general public to depend on credible studies from skilled media organisations quite than unverified claims on social media.

According to him, “There are so many things down here on social media. They are fake.”

The governor additionally refuted studies alleging that he had sacked his Chief Security Officer, CSO.

“So, if my CSO had travelled for training, because you have not seen him for two days, you said he’s been sacked. That is not journalism. That is fake news. That is social media,” he added.

Okpebholo counseled journalists for his or her contributions to nationwide unity and peaceable coexistence.

The governor famous that journalists had performed vital roles in defending democracy and retaining Nigerians knowledgeable, typically working underneath troublesome and harmful situations to make sure that the general public acquired details about occasions throughout the nation.

“You people have contributed to Nigeria’s democracy. You fought for what we are enjoying today. You fought for the peace of Nigeria. You fought for the unity of this country, and you remain in our hearts,” he acknowledged.

He added that journalists deserved recognition for his or her dedication to info dissemination, noting that their work remained important to the functioning of democracy.