The Nigerian Youth Organisation (NYO) has reacted to the trending online videos involving the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi over an allegations by Ms Tracy Ohiri, calling on the public to be cautious to avoid being misled by social media antics of people who may want to cash-in on political differences to blackmail public officials.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday and jointly signed by Comrade Okorie C. Okorie and Oluwabukunmi Awolola, the National President and National Secretary respectively, the organisation expressed “deep concern” over the inconsistencies in the trending videos noting that the “commentaries [may be]aimed at discrediting the person and office of the Honourable Minister of Works.”
According to the statement, the “ videos currently trending across multiple digital platforms, a female commentator, Mrs. Tracy Nicholas Ohiri, made remarks which not only sought to malign the Honourable Minister but also extended disparaging commentary towards the prosecutorial authority involved in ongoing legal processes, going as far as describing the prosecutor as a criminal. A careful review of the said publications reveals speeches that are largely incoherent and videos that are inconsistent in both content and presentation. Notably, the commentator has also been inconsistent with respect to the dates and figures of money allegedly owed — at one instance alleging a sum of ₦25,000,000 and at another ₦250,000,000, while also variously referencing timelines of 3 years, 9 years and 12 years — thereby raising further concerns as to the credibility of the claims being propagated in the public space.”
The NYO while acknowledging the right of Ms. Ohiri asert her rights, urged that any agrieved person in a democracy like Nigeria should use the proper channel which is the court to seek redress instead of resorting to using the social media to malign people.
“While the Nigeria Youth Organisation respects the constitutional right of every Nigerian to freedom of expression, we strongly condemn the growing trend of reckless, unsubstantiated and potentially coordinated online attacks targeted at public officials who are actively engaged in national development efforts. We advise Nigerians to exercise caution in consuming digital content and to refrain from believing everything encountered online without undertaking basic and responsible verification.
“We are particularly concerned by the timing, pattern and amplification of these commentaries, which raise legitimate questions as to whether such publications are spontaneous expressions of opinion or part of a sponsored attempt to distract and undermine the ongoing infrastructural reforms being championed by the Honourable Minister of Works. Nigerians must guard against being swayed by sentiment and emotional manipulation capable of distorting objective public discourse.
“If indeed Mrs. Tracy Nicholas Ohiri believes she has a valid cause of action against the Honourable Minister, the appropriate forum for ventilating such grievances remains a court of competent jurisdiction and not the court of social media opinion.
The organisation noted that, “Senator Engr. David Nweze Umahi has, since assumption of office, distinguished himself through measurable performance in the execution and revitalisation of critical road infrastructure across the federation. His stewardship in the works sector has attracted commendation from stakeholders across professional, civic and youth constituencies. He undoubtedly deserves accolades for the giant strides he has recorded so far rather than the vilification arising from sponsored emotional and blackmailing contents.
At a time when Nigeria requires focused leadership and sustained commitment towards economic recovery through infrastructural development, the Nigeria Youth Organisation considers any deliberate attempt to derail performing public servants through orchestrated misinformation campaigns as deeply regrettable and inimical to national progress.
Accordingly, we call on the relevant security and regulatory agencies to investigate the origin, intent and possible sponsorship behind these trending publications in order to ascertain whether they form part of a coordinated digital misinformation campaign designed to discredit a serving public official and impede ongoing developmental initiatives.
The Nigeria Youth Organisation wishes to reiterate its unwavering support for accountability, due process and responsible civic engagement. However, such engagement must be pursued within the bounds of decency, truth and national interest.”
