Gov. Rochas Okorocha Denies Putting Up Obama Billboard in Imo State
Press release from the Imo State Government:
Subject: The Governor’s Photograph With President Obama On Digital Billboard Screen & Flex Bill Board Banner
The attention of the Imo State Government has been drawn to His
Excellency, Governor Rochas Okorocha’s photographs with president Barak
Obama been shown on the digital billboard screen and flex billboard
banner.
To say the least, the Imo Governor or the state government he
superintends did not place the photographs on the referenced screen or
billboards, and was not aware or informed of
such development, and could not have authorized anybody or any group to do that since it was totally unnecessary.
At the level God had placed the Imo Governor even before
his becoming governor in 2011, he would not have authorized anybody to
begin to advertise or display his photographs with the American
President.
We had done our investigations and had discovered that some
politicians in the state did that and they had done it with good
intentions without their knowing the implications since they are not
experts in public relations. They had thought that by doing the adverts
they were going to impress the governor. And we can understand that.
The government has however told them to put a stop to that. The
government also wants to use the opportunity offered by this development
to demand that any body who wants to do any advert for the governor in
any media or publicity outfit should get clearance from designated
officials of the government.
We appreciate the love of those behind the adverts in question for
the governor, but next time, when they intend to do that they should get
clearance before going public.
We are aware of the fact that Imo people love their governor and do
certain things to appreciate him, but they should please be thorough
enough, by informing the government to avoid playing into the hands of
habitual opponents.
It was a good thing that His Excellency, President Mohammadu Buhari
in his magnanimity included the Imo governor in his team for the visit
to President Obama, but the governor had got to a level that he could
not have allowed the adverts in question if informed.
So, we take the liberty to call on the general public who had seen or
who will see the photographs on the networks in question to discard
them. They are not from the Imo State Government.
Sam Onwuemeodo
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
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