Cultism: Francis Okiye Dissociates Self From Alleged Youtube Video, Other Social Media Handles
…says the report is false, vicious targeted at damaging his Edo 2024 governorship ambition
By Simeon OSAJIE
A frontline governorship aspirant in the forthcoming Edo 2024 gubernatorial election, Rt. Hon. Francis Abumere Okiye has dissociated self from a viral video on youtube and other social media handles said to have been allegedly posted by HOODUPDATE where he was mentioned as a member of a cult group sponsoring killings in Edo State.
In a press statement issued and signed by Francis Okiye and made available to newsmen said such claim is embarrassing and lies from the pit of hell, declaring the trending report as false, vicious and a malicious statement targeted at damaging his personality and his 2024 gubernatorial ambition.
He therefore ureged those behind the defamatory publication to retract it within seven days as it affect him or face the dire consequences of the defamatory act.
The statement read in part: “My attention has been drawn to a viral video on youtube and other social media handles said to have been posted by HOODUPDATE where I was mentioned as a member of a cult group sponsoring killings in Edo State.
“To say such claim is embarrassing and lies from the pit of hell will be an understatement, declaring the trending report as false, vicious and a malicious statement targeted at damaging my personality and my 2024 gubernatorial ambition.”
“I have occupied public offices since 2003 as a member of Edo State House of Assembly, and becoming a one-time Majority Leader, later Deputy Chief of Staff, the Governor Liaison to the Edo State House of Assembly and then the Speaker. Throughout these period, I was never associated with any cult group.
“Before my foray into politics, I have been a successful businessman, in my school days, I was actively involved in student unionism as a student of the University of Benin. I reiterate my stands against the menace of cultism and other criminality and violence. I have through my called on all the relevant security agencies to immediately look into allegation and not only to expose the perpetrators but to bring them to justice.
“Let me warn the persons behind this defamatory publication to retract it within seven days as it affect me or face the dire consequences of the defamatory act.”
