Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has denied declaring free marriage between Fulani settlers in the state and Igbo ladies.
A cloned frontpage publication of THISDAY Newspapers circulating on social media claimed the governor promised to pay the bride price of ladies who would be marrying men of Fulani extraction.
The fake publication which many may mistakenly attribute to the national daily also has a sub headline which portrayed the governor as vowing to impose a N1million fine on any father who refuses to give his consents to the would-be-inlaw.
But in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, the Imo State governor denied having anything to do with the cloned publication.
Mr Nwachukwu said the creators of the fake publication were out to tarnish the image of his principal and to destroy the credibility of the national daily.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the real headline of THISDAY the same Friday, August 27 reads: Buhari Elated as NNPC Breaks Jinx, Declares N287bn Profit First In 44 Years,” he said. “It is pertinent to note that THISDAY management confirmed that the publication was cloned and we are confident that they will not allow their hard earned brand and efforts of many years to be basdardised by criminal minded fellows.
“Governor Uzodimma is conscious of the efforts being made by some individuals and groups to tarnish his image and discredit his government but will not be deterred in his determination to provide good governance to the good people of Imo State.
“He is mindful of the enormity of work to do in Imo State after many years of neglect of critical infrastructure due to poor governance and will stop at nothing to change the narrative for good in the interest of the people.
“The public is therefore advised to disregard the cloned publication as coming from depraved minds and enemies of the people and the society,” Mr Nwachukwu advised.
