Ezeonyia’s burial: Governor Orji and his entourage walked majestically
The article titled, "Gov Orji booed, pelted at Bishop Ezeonyia's burial", published in the February 28 2015, edition of The Sun newspapers, made a good read. But a discerning mind would come to agree that it was mischievously published to mislead the general public about the personality of Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, by whoever that sponsored it.
The treatise would be better called a calumnious discourse. Yes, calumnious the article is in the sense that the publication made a weak observation to look like it's strong and, made a strong observation to look as if it's weak. It's obvious that those who are after the governor are fighting very hard to pull him down since their previous attempts did not yield any desired result they had expected. Governor Orji does not practice to deceive, unlike the web of deceit that The Sun has entangled itself in today, in the name of doing the bid of its publisher.
The paper lied that Governor Orji of Abia State was booed and pelted at the burial of the pioneer Catholic Bishop of Aba Diocese, late Most Rev Vincent Valentine Ezeonyia. In short, the paper added that he was stoned and pelted alongside Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. But this is a malicious lie meant or created to discredit the governor and the respected PDP flagbearer in the state.
However, since many Abia people have not sold their minds and consciences for a paltry, we have to tell the marketers of this deceit that Governor Orji or any other person around him were not booed, stoned or pelted with sachet of water anywhere in Abia State on that day.
The governor and his entourage who arrived at the venue around 10am were welcomed and cheered by all. His entourage and him trekked from a distance through the large gate and all they were getting along were cheers. A former governor of Abia State, Dr. Ogbonna Onu even respected the governor to go into the venue before he joined.
Our happiness is that the modern technologies are not only in the hands of the governor's detractors. The video footage here will tell the world how far The Sun has gone in making sure that it does not stop to foment lies against Governor Orji.
The Sun has become the hider of truth, for lies to be extolled. The Sun now represents what Sun Tsu writes in his famous book, "The Art of War"…. "All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near."
But for how long will these lies last. If not that in journalism when a lie is not refuted it becomes a "brute truth" we would not have bothered ourselves to do a rejoinder. Governor Orji, his wife, Mercy Odochi Orji and all their associates at the burial place were never molested. There was never a time the audience said, ""No! No! We don't need him, No! No! We don't need him; he has killed us in this state." This mantra was the fabrication of The Sun.
No one humiliated Governor Orji not to make a speech. There were dignitaries from Abuja and near who sent in their condolence messages, but they were not read. For example, President Goodluck Jonathan's condolence message was not read though he was represented by the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi. The condolence of Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, was also not read. Such messages were only mentioned and were not read. So, it baffles every sense of reason to read such lie from The Sun that the governor was humiliated by Aba residents not to make a speech. Pure lies!
The irony is that not even The Sun produced any picture or video of the purported humiliation of the governor or any of his agents at the arena; all the malicious stories we have been reading both on the social media were make-believe. To promote its lie, The Sun demonized Governor Orji and, wrote, "As the crowd jeered and booed Gov Orji, they intermittently cheered and hailed when faces of people like the former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, APGA governorship candidate, Dr. Alex Otti; PPA governorship candidate, Sir Chikwe Udensi and Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, former governor of old Abia State were shown on the TV screens." Bunkum!
Let us advise The Sun that it is a disgrace that it is publishing stories sentimentally just to attack the person of Governor T.A.Orji. One Ashly Lorenzana said that a forced smile is a sign of what feels wrong in your heart... Living a lie will reduce you to one. Neither Governor Orji nor any of his agents were booed or stoned or pelted at Aba. In Igbo land, it's a taboo to trivialize the burial of the dead. Rev. V.V. Ezeonyia was a loving and peaceful man when he was alive. May his soul rest in perfect peace!
Madubuko Hart writes from Lagos
