The recent public apology by the publisher of Igbo Times Magazine, Mr. Ejike Ofoegbu Experience, over false and defamatory reports attributed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s first son has been described as a vindication of the Anambra First Family.
Recall that several online reports had falsely claimed that Governor Soludo’s son, Ozo Nna, accused his father of misconduct. The reports also alleged that the governor had publicly disowned his son.
Reacting to the publisher’s apology, the National Coordinator of APGA Media Warriors, Evangelist Chinedu Obigwe, said the apology had exposed the opposition and political detractors who relied on the false reports to attack Governor Soludo and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
According to Obigwe, the apology has vindicated Governor Soludo, his family, and APGA in Anambra State.
“Ever since those reports went viral, members of the opposition celebrated them and used them to make uncomplimentary comments against the party and the First Family,” he said.
“When we challenged the authenticity and credibility of those reports, the opposition continued to spread the falsehood. Today, they have been put to shame, while our party and the First Family have been vindicated.”
Obigwe warned that any future false allegations or attacks against Governor Soludo, his family, or APGA would not be taken lightly, describing such actions as cyberbullying.
In his public apology, Mr. Ofoegbu admitted that the reports he published concerning Governor Soludo and his son were entirely false and fabricated.
“I publicly admit that the stories I published concerning Governor Soludo and his son were completely fake, false, fabricated, and untrue,” he wrote.
“They did not come from Governor Soludo, his son, his family, or any official representative. They were not based on any verified facts or credible source, and they should never have been presented as news.”
He further acknowledged that several fabricated posts attributed to Governor Soludo and his son, including claims that the governor had disowned his son and other alleged personal remarks, were entirely false and should not be regarded as factual reports.
Ofoegbu accepted full responsibility for publishing the stories and stated that he also published other false reports involving Governor Soludo and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
“I also wish to acknowledge that the false posts listed above were not the only fabricated stories I published about Governor Soludo. Among other posts on Igbo Times Magazine and INews, I also published false and misleading stories involving Governor Soludo and Mr. Peter Obi, including claims that Mr. Peter Obi would defeat Governor Soludo in an election. Those stories were also completely false, were not based on any verified facts, and should never have been published,” he stated.
The publisher expressed deep regret over the embarrassment and reputational damage caused by the publications.
“I deeply regret the embarrassment, reputational harm, and misunderstanding these fabricated stories may have caused Governor Soludo, his family, his associates, and members of the public.”
He offered an unreserved apology to Governor Soludo, his family, the people of Anambra State, readers of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, and everyone who encountered or shared the false reports.
“This statement serves as my full and unconditional retraction of those publications. They were false, fabricated, and should be disregarded in their entirety.
“Once again, I sincerely ask Governor Soludo, his family, and the general public to forgive me,” the apology concluded.
