Following the media backlash against the Ebonyi State Government by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) media team, as well as concerns over Governor Francis Nwifuru’s media engagements and communication strategy, allegations have emerged that some members of the governor’s newly constituted media consultancy team are taking advantage of the administration for personal gains.
The latest controversy centres on an alleged invitation of regional editors from Enugu State by a former Special Assistant to Senator David Umahi, Mr Chooks Oko, and a former commissioner in the state, Chief Abia Onyike, reportedly aimed at managing negative publicity surrounding the present administration.
It was gathered that a proposal was submitted to Governor Nwifuru seeking approval to invite editors from various media organisations to tour government project sites and publish detailed reports on the administration’s achievements. The proposal was reportedly approved by the governor.
However, a source within the government’s media circle alleged that millions of naira, reportedly, were approved for the exercise, but that the initiative did not deliver the expected results.
According to the source, rather than invite established regional editors and members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Oko allegedly brought in some journalists from neighbouring Enugu State, accommodated them at Re-Meritona Hotel for three days and subsequently failed to settle their outstanding payments.
The development reportedly generated discontent among some journalists in Ebonyi State, who felt sidelined by the decision to engage their colleagues from Enugu for an exercise focused on publicising projects within their state. The disagreement allegedly prompted threats of a boycott of government activities by some local journalists.
Mr Oko was reportedly quoted as explaining that the Enugu-based journalists were invited to complement the efforts of journalists resident in Ebonyi State. However, the explanation was said to have failed to address the concerns of some members of the local media community.
One of the aggrieved journalists, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that some individuals engaged as media consultants were more interested in exploiting the opportunities presented by the administration, particularly as the 2027 electioneering season approaches.
“Some of them are simply out to grab whatever they can from the administration. It is the same approach some of them adopted during the 2023 general election under the Divine Mandate campaign. They appear to have returned with the same formula,” the source alleged.
The source further questioned the rationale behind engaging journalists from Enugu instead of established editors from Lagos and Abuja, suggesting that the selection process and alleged payment arrangements deserved closer scrutiny.
“Instead of inviting established editors from Lagos and Abuja, they brought journalists from Enugu, allegedly at a fraction of the amount approved for the exercise. Unfortunately, those invited are not regional editors and may not have the professional reach originally envisaged for the assignment,” the source added.
Meanwhile, the controversy has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the governor’s media consultancy structure and whether competing interests within the team are undermining its overall objectives.
However, those familiar with the administration’s media activities have argued that Governor Nwifuru’s existing media handlers are making efforts to communicate the government’s achievements and that the reported initiative should not automatically be interpreted as an admission of failure or a desperate damage-control mission.
The allegations surrounding the N10 million approval, the selection of journalists and the reported outstanding payments have yet to be independently verified. The affected individuals and the Ebonyi State Government should be given an opportunity to clarify the circumstances surrounding the exercise.
