Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The lawmaker representing Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chinedu Ogah, has raised the alarm over what he described as a coordinated, heavily sponsored social-media campaign aimed at smearing his reputation.
Ogah, who chairs the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, made the allegations in a statement issued on Wednesday by his media office.
He claimed that the individuals sponsoring the attacks are political actors nursing ambitions to contest the seat he currently occupies.
According to him, in recent weeks he has been targeted with “a barrage of fabricated allegations,” including accusations of kidnapping, killings, land grabbing, and other criminal activities — claims he described as malicious and deliberately crafted to mislead the public.
The statement noted that preliminary investigations have begun to uncover those allegedly behind the smear campaign. It disclosed that some of the young men involved in the online attacks were recently apprehended, monitored, and questioned, and that their communication records and financial transactions allegedly showed direct links to “specific interest blocs.”
“These alleged sponsors include individuals operating as charity foundations, owners of private companies posing as community-based groups, self-acclaimed academics with questionable credentials, retired public officers seeking renewed political relevance, and even serving local government officials and their associates,” the statement said.
“The evidence is intact. The payment records are intact. The call logs are intact,” it added, noting that attempts by lawyers to secure the release of the suspects had also been documented.
Ogah acknowledged that those aspiring to contest against him have the right to do so, but cautioned that such ambitions should not be pursued through misinformation or cyber harassment.
He urged political actors to adopt responsible engagement rather than resorting to hiring online attackers.
“For now, we are simply watching closely, patiently, and with full confidence in the process,” the statement noted, expressing optimism that ongoing investigations would expose the full network behind the alleged conspiracy.
It added that “the long arm of the law is already in motion,” stressing that those who orchestrated and financed the defamatory campaign would, in due course, face the consequences of their actions.
The media office urged organisations, institutions, and political groups to take responsibility for the conduct of their supporters, insisting that the era of reckless misinformation in political contests is gradually coming to an end.
