Zaria LG Chairman Warns Against False Allegations, Blackmail
The Executive Chairman of Zaria Local Government Council, Engr. Jamil Ahmad Muhammad Jaga, has warned against persistent and deliberate campaign of calumny being perpetrated by some media users and opposition politicians.
According to a statement issued to newsmen by Ishaq Galadima, Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman revealed, these individuals have resorted to spreading falsehoods, unfounded allegations, and character-assassinating content aimed at tarnishing the image and reputation of the Chairman and the Council.
The Chairman wishes to strongly emphasize that his name and character, which he has painstakingly built, nurtured, and protected for over five decades of his life, will not be allowed to be dragged into the mud by bitter opposition figures or irresponsible media users. While he holds the principles of democracy and freedom of speech in high regard, he will never fold his arms and watch individuals peddle outright lies and fabricated narratives against him.
A recent example of such baseless allegations is the claim being circulated that the Chairman personally authorized the demolishing of shops at Yan-Kaji Tudun-Wada Market and forcefully ejected vendors from their businesses. For the avoidance of doubt, and for the record, this is entirely false and without any iota of truth. The said market was handed over to private developers by the El-Rufai led administration long before the current administration, and neither the Chairman nor the Zaria Local Government Council has any role, interest, or stake in the matter. To mischievously twist this fact and attribute such unfounded action to the Chairman is nothing short of calculated mischief, aimed at blackmail and character assassination.
The Executive Chairman therefore issues a strong and final warning to all those behind these smear campaigns to immediately desist from such malicious acts. Opposition figures and media users are hereby reminded that healthy, constructive criticism based on facts, evidence, and sincerity of purpose is always welcome in a democracy. However, deliberate misinformation, false accusations, and the dissemination of fabricated lies are not only immoral but also illegal under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Accordingly, those responsible for spreading such defamatory publications or sharing such content on media platforms are hereby advised to retract their false statements within 24 hours from the release of this statement and tender a public apology. Failure to do so within the stipulated period will leave the Chairman and the Council with no option but to institute appropriate legal action against all perpetrators in accordance with the law.
The Chairman further cautions that this warning is not mere rhetoric but a firm stance in defense of his hard-earned reputation and the integrity of the office he occupies. He will not allow reckless opposition politics, media sensationalism, or calculated blackmail to destroy the trust and respect he enjoys among the people of Zaria.
Once again, media users, bloggers, and opposition politicians are advised to exercise responsibility, caution, and respect in their engagements. Let it be known that while democracy thrives on healthy debates, it cannot and will not thrive on malicious falsehoods.
The Zaria Local Government Council under the leadership of Engr. Jamil Ahmad Muhammad Jaga remains committed to transparency, accountability, and service delivery to the good people of Zaria. However, it will resist in very strong terms any attempt to distract or derail its focus through campaigns of lies and deceit.
