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A privately-owned radio station in Ebonyi State, Legacy FM (The Sound of Now), has suspended its Acting General Manager, Godfrey Chikwere, over alleged persistent negative comments against Governor Francis Nwifuru and his policies.
Announcing the suspension on Saturday, the station’s management accused Chikwere of acting contrary to Legacy FM’s professional guidelines.
“The management of Legacy FM 95.1, The Sound of Now, hereby suspends the acting General Manager, Godfrey Chikwere, with immediate effect, till further notice,” the statement read.
“This is due to unruly behaviour and disobedience to the code of conduct guiding Legacy FM. With such effect, he is hereby directed to hand over all the company property in his possession to the next senior officer.”
It was reported that Chikwere, in a Facebook post on Friday, urged Governor Nwifuru to be stringent in his approach to governance.
He allegedly accused the administration of poor communication, underperformance by appointees, lack of clear policy direction, and a dwindling support base.
He also advised the governor to “step on toes” in order to deliver results, alleging that public perception of the government was being manipulated.
Governor’s Aide Labels Criticism ‘Ungrateful’
Reacting to the remarks, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Monday Uzor, described the criticisms as baseless and ungrateful, alleging that the station had benefitted immensely from government support.
“It is regrettable that despite the radio station thriving only on government support, the supposed helmsman dedicates a greater percentage of the station’s airtime to attack and run down the government whose support has kept his medium afloat,” Uzor said.
He listed state government interventions, including the donation of a brand new Changan SUV, a new transformer to power the station, and the construction of the road leading to the broadcasting house.
“But rather than give at least balanced coverage of government activities, it has been turned into a slaughter house of the governor’s genuine development efforts and goodwill. What a way to be ungrateful to good deeds,” he added.
Commissioner Condemns Remarks As ‘Inciting’
Also reacting, the state Commissioner for Information, Ikeuwa Omebeh, faulted Chikwere’s comments, describing them as derogatory and inciting.
In a statement on Saturday, Omebeh said the remarks were unacceptable and an affront to the collective identity of Ebonyi people.
“He overstepped his bounds. His statements against the governor are not only unwarranted but an insult to the entire people of the state,” the commissioner said.
The post Ebonyi Radio Station Suspends Acting GM For Criticizing Governor Nwifuru appeared first on Naija News.
