Anambra: The Limit Of Defamation

EJIKE ANYADUBA

For months on end, some faceless persons and Facebook denizens have seized the public space, especially the internet, to malign the government of Anambra State.

In the group are grouches, political jobbers and a few grudge-bearing characters, determined on avenging some unknown wrongs. They are still sulking over the defeat in the 2017 governorship and 2019 State House of Assembly elections in the state.

Sadly, they are not doing anything differently from the past to compel a better result in 2021. The only difference is the timing. They started early this time, but the content and modus remain the same – vicious lies, slander, mudslinging, defamation, etc. As in the past, the same tools are in use again. No word is said or written in commendation of the efforts of the government.

The idea is to create an image problem for the government and make it difficult for it to exit smoothly in 2022.

For this reason a cacophony of voices has rent the air, condemning everything the government does. Every achievement of the government is denied in order to intone lack of performance. To the extent that even the existence of security that has received nationwide commendation is also ridiculed. Nothing of importance achieved by the government has not been derided by this group of persons.
From calling the three beautiful flyovers with flood lights obstructions on the highway through denying of newly constructed roads, improved healthcare services, progress in the educational sector, environment, agriculture etc to accusations of waste.

No achievements of the government are acknowledged. Where it is difficult to deny, they label such projects as efforts of past administrations. So ridiculous is the group that when a turnpike is erected to restrain heavy trucks from plying the bridges, the story is twisted.

It is curious what politics in the state is turning into. It is fast churning out detractors who are quick to concoct lies, but never ever ready to acknowledge an achievement. It does this persuasively and consistently in the hope that when lies are told over time they assume the form of truth.

But thank God the people are discerning enough to tell a bee from a wasp.

Ejike Anyaduba writes from Awka, Anambra State.