The alleged Principal of the FON Strategic Media Team, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru (FON), has denied the approval and constitution of the media squad.
Chief Nwifuru, the Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly and the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the State said except for the FON Media Team currently handled by his Chief Press Secretary, Leo Ekene Oketa, he has never approved any other media group.
Ebonyi APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
The governor hopeful made this known following a Facebook page and link with the name “FON STRATEGIC MEDIA TEAM” which has surfaced online with social media members asking people to join the team for recognition and reward, before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
The media group with swelling membership has been alleging Nwifuru’s sponsorship.
However, in a statement on Sunday by Nwifuru's Chief Press Secretary, Leo Ekene Oketa, he refuted the knowledge of the media group and urged the operators to desist from using his name for their vile gains.
The statement read in parts: "The
the attention of the Honourable Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Candidate of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has been drawn to a certain Facebook group with the name tag, ‘FON Strategic Media Team.’
“The general public is by this information, kindly notified that this group operates on their terms, without any official nod of the Honourable Speaker.
“The sole aim of this disclaimer is to publicly put it on good record, that any information coming from the group does not bear the signature or approval of Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, and should be treated as such.
“The group made contact and was duly informed that Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has a media team in place already. But they decided to chart their course regardless of any official stamp.
“While everyone is encouraged to spread the fantastic gospel of the goodness of FON via several channels, it is without more, an improper move to append such a tag to a group without the official approval or when it is a mere duplication of an existing body.
“Should the group opt to continue with their activities, they’re very kindly advised to refrain from making official statements on behalf of Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
“This is for clarity of information and to avoid misleading the public."
