The Managing Director, Capital Oil and Gas and Publisher, Authority Newspaper, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, has debunked media reports by a national daily (not Vanguard) and other online new websites, that he has declared interest to contest the 2017 governorship election in Anambra State.
Ubah, who contested the last governorship election in the state in 2013 on the platform of Labour Party, LP, said the story’s headline was misleading, as he never declared any interest whatsoever to contest the next governorship election in his state.
He explained that during a media chat with Journalists, in his Nnewi home, on Monday, May 31, 2016, he only stated very clearly the need for the polity not to be overheated as that could cause a distraction to the incumbent Governor, Willie Obiano and urged Ndi Anambra to keep supporting the governor.
A statement by his SA Media, Ikechukwu Onyia, said: “The attention of Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah has been drawn to the news report published on the website of a national daily, and other news publications especially some online blogs, that he is exhibiting interest to contest the next governorship election in Anambra state.
“The above news headline is misleading as Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah never declared any interest whatsoever to contest the next governorship election in his state. In a media chat with Journalists in his Nnewi home on Monday, May 31, 2016, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah stated very clearly the need for the polity not to be overheated as that could cause a distraction to the incumbent Governor Obiano and urged Ndi Anambra to keep supporting the Governor.
“Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah while addressing the media, stated that we all should continue to encourage Governor Willie Obiano, especially as he continues to pay workers salaries which many states are struggling with.
“He however, stated that losing his last gubernatorial contest was a lost opportunity for the state, but insisted that he has moved on and that what is paramount to him now is to help create wealth and jobs for the teaming Anambra youths.
“This he promised to do through his ongoing Ifeanyi Ubah Sports Village which upon completion will create over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs and attract tourists to the state and other job creation platforms of his .
“Ubah while answering questions during the media interactive session made it clear that he is still a young man who may in near future wish to lead his state but re-iterated that he is presently overseeing his conglomerates and would not wish to engage in a process that will likely overheat the polity .
“I, therefore, call on the media practitioners to stop distorting my quotations in their news reports with bogus and misleading headlines in order not to stir unnecessary controversy, severe relationships and mischievously mislead the unsuspecting public”, Ubah stated.
The statement added: “As a media Chief Executive, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah still believes in the integrity of the Nigeria media in fair reporting. It is on the premise to give Nigerians the best on-the-spot unbiased news that he has gone on to invest in the media sector and established Authority Newspaper .
It is of note that Dr. Ubah is media friendly and as such, one is expected to reach out for news verification before publication like some did recently .
“I encourage those journalists that called to verify in order to avoid the crossfire of bandwagon with a view to retaining the much revered public trust which is always sacrosanct in journalism .
“I call on the media to always verify their news through investigative journalism before going to press in order to retain public trust…
“Ubah also appreciates well meaning Nigerians especially his well wishers and supporters that are beckoning on him to join the Governorship race but wish to state clearly that he is not thinking towards that direction now.”