Abia Govt Threatens to sue Kalu, Sun Newspaper over Publication

Abia State government has denied the statement allegedly made by Prince Arthur Eze against the state during its 23rd anniversary published by Sun Newspapers, Monday, saying the Anambra State born billionaire was quoted out of context.

Prince Arthur Eze was quoted by Sun newspapers to have said at Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia the Abia State capital, venue of the 23rd anniversary which held Wednesday, that Abia is stinking, and the dirtiest in the country; garbage everywhere, along with bad roads; the people are really suffering, and you see it in their faces.

He was said to have further asked if there are no elders, senators and State’s lawmakers in Abia again and questioned their role in the development of the State.

He was also said to have told the Governor, Chief Theodore Orji that If he doesn’t know what to do again, he should please write to President Goodluck Jonathan, and let him come to his aid, adding that Abia State needs help.

But reacting to the publication while briefing newsmen in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, Monday, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr. Eze Chikamnayo frowned at the report he described as a deliberate distortion of facts.

Chikamnayo said The Sun newspapers misquoted Prince Arthur Eze who was obviously referring to the deplorable state of the Enugu- Port Harcourt federal road which is currently receiving attention through the intervention of Chief T.A. Orji.

He however accused the immediate past Governor of the State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and the Sun management for unwarranted attack on the people of Abia State.

“The Abia State government condemned the behavior of the immediate past Governor of the state for using his medium, Sun newspapers to attack the administration of Chief T.A. Orji and disparage Abia people especially the elders.

“Prince Arthur Eze never said that ‘Abia stinks’ rather on the said day, he (Arthur Eze) told the audience at the Okpara Auditorium about his awful experience traveling on the Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway from Enugu to Umuahia.

“Apart from describing the Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway as being impassable, the businessman called on the Federal Government to come to the rescue of the South-east zone as almost all the federal roads in the geopolitical zone are in very deplorable condition,” Chikamnayo said.

Chikamnayo further explained that Arthur Eze said the people of the South-east are suffering because of bad state of federal roads especially those leading to Abia State and pleaded with the Federal Government to urgently do something to alleviate the agonies of the people.

The Commissioner who was flanked by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Charles Ajunwa added that Abia State government will not hesitate to resort to legal measures against the former governor and his medium, Sun if the unwarranted attack continues.