John Nwaigwe
Hon. Chris Nkwonta,
Member Representing Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency,
National Assembly, Abuja.
Dear Sir,
QUESTIONS RAISED IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST DO NOT CONSTITUTE DEFAMATORY INNUENDO: A CALL TO STOP THE VICTIMIZATION OF COMRADE UGWUMBA ADIELE
We remain members of the NEW UKWA PROGRESSIVE INITIATIVE, a reputable non-partisan organisation formed to hold political leaders/public office holders accountable for their actions in office. Our primary goal is to evaluate, assess, and appraise public office holders, particularly in Abia State and Ukwa, where you play a key role.
It is with mixed feelings and deep disappointment that we write to you on the subject under reference. It has come to our notice that you issued a pre-action notice to Comrade Ugwumba Adiele, a constituent of the Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency, solely for raising issues of public concern which, in our respectful view, merely required clarification from your office, having been yearning for clarity not only from the said constituent but from a greater percentage of reasonable individuals within Ukwa Federal Constituency.
While we acknowledge that it is within your legal right to institute an action for the redress of a perceived wrong against your person where the need genuinely arises, it is also pertinent to state that public office does not just demand accountability but requires a great deal of responsibility and community service/development. Any individual occupying a position as dignified as yours is expected to consistently provide feedback to the people through town hall meetings, periodic media engagements, or press releases on relevant and germane issues.
We, hereby, express our dissatisfaction and disappointment over your recent action of issuing a pre-action notice, particularly the claim of ₦5,000,000,000 (Five Billion Naira Only) as damages for alleged “defamatory innuendo”
It is important to state, without equivocation, that this singular action appears to have been undertaken in bad faith and constitutes an attempt to suppress, intimidate, threaten, and restrain constituents from holding you accountable as a public office holder. We further emphasise that no amount of intimidation through legal action can suppress the genuine and lawful demand for accountability by the Ukwa people.
The questions raised by Comrade Ugwumba Adiele were timeously made, especially in light of the circumstances surrounding the Ukwa Skill Acquisition Centre and its registration as an Incorporated Trustees and the Federal Medical Annex raised by numerous constituents.
We, therefore, request that you immediately desist from this harassment of your constituents and provide clear clarification to their genuine questions and concerns. We further demand the discontinuation of the pre-action notice and the claim for ₦5,000,000,000 (Five Billion Naira Only) and further attempts to arrest any constituent calling for accountability and good governance. Failure to do so may compel us to join issues in the matter and institute appropriate actions against you in respect of any unwarranted, unjustifiable, barbaric, and unsubstantiated allegations allegedly made by your media aides on your behalf on various public platforms. We shall also be readily available to let you show strength and vain glory jail all Ukwa Constituents who are already standing very tall behind Comrade Ugwumba Adiele.
We also urge you to adopt meaningful and constructive means of engagement and to clarify any doubts arising from your stewardship or projects in order to avoid misconceptions. It remains the unquestionable right of your constituents to seek accountability at all times.
Yours faithfully.
Elder Victor K.N
BoT Chairman
Akanwa E.Franklin, PhD
NUPI National Chairman
Felix, Chidubem Ambition
NUPI National Secretary
