. Gov. Dave Umahi
By Obulose Chiduebere N.
For Family Writers Press
Madness or mental insanity is a state of being mentally diseased or being practically unable to behave reasonably. It is a state of stupidity or someone behaving dangerously or being gravely and unconsciously abnormal in his doings. We have oftentimes erroneously attributed madness to those individuals wearing rags and feeding from dustbins as the only insane people in our midst. This however, essentially depends on the degree of such an insanity and it is either that which stems from weakness or total loss of thought and reason (dementia) or that which it's actions are expressed in wild and destructive behavior, mental aberration and wandering mind (delirium). It could also be demonomania which is a form of madness in which the victim is considered possessed of the devils. It is pertinent therefore to bring to the notice of the civilised world that the Hausa-Fulani puppeted governor of Ebonyi state - Mr. Dave Umahi has completely gone mentally deranged as he banned social media in his state. This action resulted from either dementia, delirium or demonomania.
In less than 2 months, counting from the 2nd of June 2017, this same governor authorised a detachment of the buharised security operations called Department of Security Services (DSS) to manhandle a career journalist by name, Otu Charles for reporting in the print media, the atrocities being carried out against Ebonyi people by governor Dave Umahi. He has embarked on criminal reduction of the state's workers salaries for self aggrandisement. He is presently owning the civil servants, good 4 months of unpaid salaries while training touts in Ebonyi state to service his inordinate ambitions. The latest political witchcraftcy unleashed on the people of Ebonyi is the banning of all civil servants (government workers) from using social media platforms like Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram, Twitter etc, all in the guise of posting and commenting on the incompetence and reign of vampirism he, along with his cult associates commit against the people he swore an oath to serve and protect.
In his words, he complained: "The attitude we have in the state is very, very discouraging. Someone sent me a message. I am sure it was from one of the state's civil servants. There was no manner of insult the fellow didn't pour on me. And the topic was that Ebonyi workers are suffering. He or she threw the projects we are presently doing to the dustbin. The person used a very sophiscated high-tech device to send those things. Any worker that wants to become a politician should go ahead and become one but if I get a worker politician, such an individual will be sacked for incitement and will be imprisoned. There is nothing wrong in constructive criticism but I won't fold my hands and watch you incite workers in the state against the government. If you say something is sweet, you have to say how sweet it is".
Few days later after a desperate meeting he had, the state government issued a circular warning civil/public servants to desist from using various available social media platforms in castigating the state government. The circular with official seal, which was published on 7th of June 2017, was titled "Frivolous Posting of Obnoxious Comments In The Social Media Against Ebonyi State Government By Some Unscrupulous Civil/Public Servants in the State". This was signed by the State's Head of Service, Dr. Chamberlain Nwele and was copied to all relevant authorities in government. The said government circular has reference number: EB/HOS/S.8/187 and reads thus:
"The Ebonyi State Government has observed with dismay, the activities of some unscrupulous civil/public servants in the state that have embarked on posting obnoxious comments in the social media castigating the state government. This attitude of some bad eggs amongst the civil servants in the state is tantamount to biting the fingers that feed them and need to be nipped in the bud as it is against the Public Service Rules (PSR) number 030301. *Indeed civil/public servants are the engine room that propels the activities of the government for efficient implementation of government programmes and policies for better dividends of democracy to the citizenry. They are expected to advance good ideas, abide by the civil/public servants' code of conduct and shun any negative act that will tarnish the image of the government they are serving.
*As civil servants in Ebonyi State, their actions must be in consonance with the state government's transformation programmes and policies geared towards putting Ebonyi State at the frontline in all facets of economic development.
*Therefore the purpose of this circular is to advise those who have involved themselves in this ugly act to know that the eyes of the government are on them and that any person(s) caught hereafter will be seriously punished in accordance with the rules of law, as no reasonable government will allow any of her workers to be a cog in the wheel of progress. "Please to be forewarned is to be forearmed".
Dave Umahi should be told in case he does not know, that this is 21st century and so, must be aware that this is not military era but democratic dispensation. He should know that it is constitutionally stated that citizens have the unalienable rights to express their feelings, to think and to ask questions as they are the ones that gave their mandate to those in positions of authority. He should realise that the greatest threat to freedom is absence of criticism according to Prof. Sole Soyinka.
It is said that: "Clear Conscience fears no accusation". If Dave Umahi knows therefore, that what he is doing in Ebonyi state is right and good, why restricting the people from expressing their mind on issues that are of paramount interest to them? Why denying the people their fundamental rights? Why acting the demigod and bullying them into silence?
Biafrans and Ebonyians, never allow the victimisation of vampires and surrogates of the Northern oligachists like Dave Umahi. Accept no one's jaundiced definitions into your life but rather, "Define yourself", says Robert Frost.
Edited by Peter Oshagwu
For Family Writers Press