A coalition of Civil Society Groups in Ebonyi has condemned the spate of harassment on journalists and social media influencers by political office holders in the state.
They made the condemnation in Abakaliki on Saturday, calling on President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun for intervention.
The Group was led by the Human Rights Volunteer Corps (HRVC) Human Rights Action Group (HRAG), Committee for the Defense of Human rights (CDHR) and Good Living Initiative (GLI) in Ebonyi.
The leaders of the Coalition Groups include: Prof Joseph Agbo, HRVC; Mr Charles Otu, HRAG; Mr Lawrence Omini, CDHR; Daniel Ibiam, GLI.
“ Today, we register our concern and dismay over the rapid closing of the civic space in Ebonyi by the political class and actors and the uncommon silence of both government and individuals.
“Whereas, Civil Society Groups are not in support of any form of defamation of anybody’s character, needless the political class and elites, we wish to seek the intervention of the President and IGP.
“We also seek the attention of other peace-loving people of Ebonyi to arise with one voice and demand a probe into the allegations against an Ebonyi lawmaker, Mr Chinedu Ogah and his critics,” the Group stated.
Ogah is a Member of House of Representatives, representing Ezza-South/Ikwo Federal Constituency. .
Our Correspondent recalls that a tik-toker 22-year-old boy, Chisom Achor had published defamatory contents against the lawmaker alleging that he had involved in unlawful activities in his constituency.
Achor alleged that the lawmakers had been into land grabbing and oppressing of the residents in their communities.
The Coalition Group called on IGP and other relevants authorities to intervene and investigate into the matter.
“We have watched with disconcerting reflections how in a space of less than three months or so, some journalists, writers and social media critics have been arrested and detained.
“Obviously, we do not in any way support any acts of cyber-bullying, cyber-stalking or any act of abuse or misuse of the media- mainstream or social,” they added.
Our Correspondent recalls that the Lawmaker, through his Media Centre expressed concern over the incident of cyberbullying, fabrication of propaganda, or hiring of online attackers against political office holders in the state.
He drew public attention to what he described as the “disturbing wave of sponsored social-media attacks” targeted at his person.
“While we respect everyone’s right to pursue political ambition, we firmly maintain that such ambition must be pursued honourably.
“Leadership cannot be built on cyberbullying, fabricated propaganda, or the hiring of online attackers. Responsible politics requires selling ideas, not sponsoring falsehood.
“For now, we continue to observe the situation closely, patiently, and with full confidence in the due process already underway.
“The long arm of the law is in motion, and sooner or later, the full network behind this orchestrated defamation campaign will be exposed.
“When that time comes, those who engineered and financed it will have no choice but to face the consequences of their actions,” the Lawmaker stated.