Open Letter: I Did Not Write Jonathan – IBB Former military president General Ibrahim Babaginda has denied writing any open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, saying that he did not authorise anybody to write any letter on his behalf. Spokesman to Babangida Prince Kassim Afegbua stated this yesterday while debunking a statement credited to him and Babangida. The controversial statement was entitled “Your aides are misleading you, IBB warns Jonathan” and was published by an online publication, Global Village Extra. But, according to Afegbua, also special adviser on media and public affairs to Edo State governor, it is not in the character of Babangida to take up issues with leaders in such a pedestrian manner as shown in the purported statement credited to him. Faulting the story in a statement yesterday, Afegbua said that it was regrettable that the online medium could resort to fabrication and credited him with a story he did not write, insisting that the development is a sad development in journalism practice. He said, “To state the least, this is outright blackmail journalism and a sad commentary on journalism practice, a profession that I hold dear to my heart. “Let me also state without mincing words that I did not issue the said statement that is flying around the social media on behalf of IBB. Let me also declare with all the emphasis at my disposal that General IBB did not authorize anyone to issue any statement on his behalf, let alone crediting same odious statement to me.” “It is therefore bad journalism for one obscure, good-for-nothing, unprofessional platform such as the Global Villa Extra to fabricate a statement and credit same to me, not only to mislead the public but cause disaffection amongst the personalities involved. “It is not in Gen Babangida’s character to join issues with leaders in such pedestrian manner as reflected in the so-called statement credited to me.” Afegbua also stated that there was the need to rebut the story in order to set the records straight and assure numerous associates and friends that the statement did not emanate from him. He said, “It is also to remind the publisher[s] of Global Village Extra that journalism is a very serious profession that requires all the ethics, decorum and standard from all practitioners, but certainly not this category of naysayers, hirelings and journalistic-jobbers that are trying to mislead the public.” Afegbua further said that he made spirited efforts on the online publication, asking its operators to effect the necessary changes, but that they refused. He said, “When I called the local mobile telephone number of the online publication, 08165076156, no one answered my several calls. In fact, the receiver from the other end was cutting my calls. When I called the international number 00912407041545, a receiver from the other end who refused to disclose his name expressed shock at my declaration. He did promise to instruct his co-conspirators to remove the tissue of concocted lies from their site. “As at the time of writing this rebuttal, he has not done so. I therefore wish to formally disown the said statement in part, whole and its entirety. It was neither authorized by me nor General IBB and should be so discountenanced. I wish to thank my reputable colleagues in the media who quickly saw through this statement as a piece of abhorrence and alerted me almost immediately. May God continue to replenish your wisdom and deep sense of judgment.” leadership.ng/news/341936/open-letter-i-did-not-write-jonathan-ibb
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 06:18:09 +0000
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