Daily Sun Report: Leave Kalu Alone, Aide Tells Abia Government

BEVERLY HILLS, September 02, (THEWILL) -Abia State Government has been told to stop chasing shadows by linking the former governor of the state, Dr. Orji Kalu, to all its predicaments.

His media adviser, Mr. Ebere Wabara, gave the advice on Tuesday while reacting to a press briefing by the Abia Government on Monday which alleged that Kalu influenced Daily Sun publication of critical statements against the state by multi-billionaire, Mr. Arthur Eze, who was a guest of the state at the celebrations marking its 23rd anniversary.

In a statement, Wabara said there was no way Kalu could have intervened in what Eze unambiguously said or its publication.

'Kalu had been in London in the past two weeks amid a tight schedule as to have time for banal commemorative issues at home.

'In any case, The Sun Group of Newspapers is a chain of credible news media with some of the best professionals in the industry in its employ. The philosophy of the conglomerate is enshrined in objectivity and robust professionalism.

'Kalu is one publisher who does not meddle in the day-to-day administration of his newspapers. The Abia Information Commissioner can forensically verify this fact.

'It is not for the state government to hallucinate on the inalienable declarations credited to Eze and dumbly think, out of mischief and brazen stupidity, that the publication was doctored by Kalu. The damning assessment of the state was made at a public forum held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, with multifarious dignitaries in attendance.

'The onus of any rebuttal is on Eze—not any government official embarrassed by Eze's affirmation of facts known by everyone worldwide who is familiar with information mechanics,' Wabara stated.

He therefore implored the Abia Government to desist from making Kalu a scapegoat for what he described as its failings and face the challenge of giving the state a semblance of marginal development.

'Demonising Kalu and criminalising The Sun are not the channels to address the decadence and poverty of leadership in the state. This is a moment for sober reflection and not childish defence, thought incoherency and senile rationalisation of an eminent speaker's mind.

'Eze is not known for flippancy or loquacity, hence the need for maturity and responsibility on the part of rattled government functionaries who deserve circumstantial sympathy,' Wabara said.