By Chidi Emeagi…
I have watched with keen interest, read with reasonable attention though lately, the sustained barrage of blackmail and sponsored political bitterness and hostility wrapped as opinions and targeted at “bringing down” the APP Imo East Senatorial district candidate Dr Chima Matthew Amadi.
The latest, as usual, came from Mr Collins Opurozor from Orlu zone.
The more I tried to stomach or water down key weighter matters of the law raised by Opurozor in his opinion article with the caption herein referenced, the more my spirit warns me not to keep quite. Posterity and the younger generation may blame me in the future for not doing this intervention at a time like this.
After critically examining the hate speech under reference, I was so shocked and perplexed as to why a human being with a soul could pen down such satanic verses against his fellow human being, all in the name of politics and politicking.
Wondering but not totally confused, I was able to pick up three takeaways from the diatribe. One is that Dr Chima Amadi allegedly belongs to the THIRTEENTH VEIL BROTHERHOOD, number two is HIS DENUNCIATION OF CHRISTIANITY/NOT BEING A MEMBER OF ANY CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION and number three; HIS QUESTIONABLE SOURCE OF WEALTH.
Much as I am not Amadi’s spokesperson or supporter, I think it’s very incumbent on me as a very concerned proud son of Owerri zone, a media personality and promoter of peace and harmony, to personally scribble down this particular intervention at this auspicious time.
Alleging without proof that Chima Amadi is a member of the thirteenth veil brotherhood is unfortunately one blackmail, political punching and desperation taken too far. At best, it could pass as cyber stalking and bullying such that our security agencies should not allow to be swept under the carpet.
Section 36(5) of Nigeria’s constitution as amended clearly supports the incontrovertible universal legal principle of “He who alleges must prove”. At this juncture, I suppose that, it is not enough for one to continue to allege that an individual is a member of a dreaded cult. Since available information shows that the APP senate candidate for Owerri zone had not been convicted anywhere as a cultist, may I accordingly therefore implore those pushing this hate speech to process their proofs, proceed to courts and get Mr Amadi convicted since the case in point is punishable under our extant laws, and they are handy with their pretty proofs.
However, my little inquiry about “occultic status” of Dr Chima Amadi, using my small digital app shows thus:
“There is no credible evidence in the results to show that Dr. Chima Amadi is an occultic man. What is found instead, are political accusations and counter-accusations, including claims of cultism that his supporters and allied reports describe as baseless smear tactics.
Recent report identifies him as the APP senatorial candidate for Imo East and describes his campaign around ideas, competence, and representation, not occult practices Other reports also show him speaking at church-related events and being honored by Christian organizations, which does not support a claim that he is occultic.
The only material suggesting cultism comes from a hostile political group’s allegations, and those allegations are directly disputed by pro-Amadi responses that call them propaganda and blackmail. Based on the sources available, it would be unfair and irresponsible to state as fact that he is occultic” end of quote.
The second allegation though weighty but particularly laughable, bothers on the man in question, denouncing his Christianity and not belonging to any Christian church. My take here is simple; Can Mr Collins Opurozor and his co-accusers of the brethren furnish us with proofs to this devilish claim.
In which occasion did Amadi denounce christianity, where and when?
Again, as thorough-bred fact checker, I had to put up a call to a Bishop in whose episcopal jurisdiction, Chima Amadi’s community falls into, and again, I was confidently and reliably told that the man so criticized is a member of the Anglican Communion.
The last but not the least is, the claim that Amadi’s source of wealth is questionable, and I dare say again; let his traducers and enemies of progress petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) with proofs that Mr Chima Amadi had sometime in the past or recently, defrauded company A or B, or Mazi Osunkwo, Alhaji Dankwambo or Mr Afolabi.
Enough of these despicable and reprehensible acts, malice, blackmail and bravado that is about to assume auto cruise mode against a man whose only sin is that he threw in his hat into the ring to run for Imo east Senatorial seat.
We must be disciplined and responsible enough to separate lies from truths, facts from opinions, and issues from unnecessary name callings at this hot and critical electioneering period lest we heat up the polity and endanger the lives and comfort of all of us.
The pictures in our heads must not always tally with the reality and facts out there.
Chidi Emeagi KSC, FCAI, FIPMD, is the Publisher of NIGERIAN NEWSGUIDE, and writes in Owerri.
