Okorocha, Ndi Imo And The Limit Of Propaganda

“When a well-packaged web of lies has been sold gradually to the masses over generations, the truth will seem utterly preposterous and its speaker a raving lunatic.”  Dresden James

Social media websites are no longer performing an envisaged function of creating a positive channel of information, communication and a link among friends, family and even the government; it has been reduced to an enterprise based on falsity and hatred.

It is unfortunate that those who ought to know better have taken it as a duty to mislead the public with personal bias and prejudices. It's been 10 months since elections were lost and won but our permissive opposition politicians are yet to come to terms with the fact that elections are over. They have continued to do the unimaginable, including Goebbels kind of propaganda, to smear and tarnish the good name and pedigree of the people's governor with uncharitable expletives both on print and social media.

Last week, an attempt was made to malign and undermine the iron clad reputation of the people's governor, His Excellency, Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha by some implacable politicians of the old corrupt political order.

While Imo State was agog with the inaugural hosting of the Southern Governors' Wives Forum (SGWF) last week Thursday by the quintessential First Lady of Imo State, Ugonneoma Nkechinyere Rochas Okorocha, an online news website that has A1 rating in propagating false news, published in its website that Dr. Paschal Obi, the Principal Secretary of Imo State Government and two other aides of the governor were whisked away by EFFC for interrogation over baseless and unsubstantiated allegation bothering on diversion of #2 billion bailout fund.

Imo State government, in a press release, refuted the news, insisting as at the time the news was published, the above named official was at his office in government house carrying out his official duties.

When the peddlers of the unfounded news discovered the invented canard had less than a needle effect on Ndi Imo, a misguided journalist in an irresponsible attempt to paint the governor and his government with bad brush published another scurrilous stunt, barely 24 hours after the first one on the website of a newspaper whose owner is allegedly one of the beneficiaries of the Dasuki gate scandal, with same purpose; to batter and maul the people's governor's hard earned reputation. In the said publication, they alleged the people's governor had jetted out of the country to avoid unnecessary embarrassment from EFCC officials.

Briefing news men last week Saturday, at the State House, the people's governor told the journalists what transpired and insisted EFCC didn't pick up any of his aides as reported neither did he travel out of the country to avoid embarrassment from the anti-graft agency, but rather, jetted off to Ibadan for the coronation ceremony of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji and afterwards returned same day to Imo State.

Such social media asphyxiating lies are becoming an affront to the integrity of the people's governor. What exactly do these social media empowered activist intend to gain by discrediting a governor whose place as one of the performing governors in Nigeria is unimpeachable?

Could it be that their sponsors are not comfortable the people's governor is blazing the trail with his lasting laudable projects which are scattered across the landscape of the State and would do the unimaginable to set the people's governor in opposition to the good people of Imo State?

The people's governor's second coming has redefined leadership, excess baggage has been cut down, loopholes are being blocked and efficient methods employed to increase the State's revenue. Despite the decline in the economy, we are still building bridges, constructing roads and attracting investors; records are being broken and standards have improved in all facets of the State.

The governor is human being, fallible and incapable of pleasing everyone. It takes only a man of purpose and vision to achieve this, let's stop demonizing what we admire; even the traducers of the people's governor can't hide their admiration for him. He is evil, I agree but we need more of him than your saintly specie.

This is the time to tell ourselves the bitter truth: there is a limit to everything, including propaganda. The best we can do, (including the shameless kiss and tell source we have within) is to allow our collective commitment to this Rescue Mission Government of His Excellency, Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha remain unquestionable.

Written by Hon. Uju Kingsley Chima, Deputy Chief Of Staff (Operations) IMSG.