Senator Ogba,
Senator Obinna Ogba, founder and President of Legacy FM and Television in Ebonyi, has refuted claims that Governor Francis Nwifuru influenced his decision to suspend the station’s acting General Manager, Mr. Godfrey Chikwere.
Chikwere was removed from his position over what the station described as “gross misconduct” and violation of its internal code of conduct.
His suspension followed criticism of the state government aired on his programme Inside Politics, where he hosted journalist Charles Otu to discuss performance issues involving Ebonyi State officials .
Speaking to journalists in Abakaliki, Ogba maintained that Chikwere’s behaviour repeatedly flouting company policy despite warnings, was behind the decision, not any political pressure.
“He has been doing well, but you know in every organisation, there are codes of conduct … if you listened to the announcement of the suspension, it was very clear that it was for not obeying the code of conduct of the establishment.”
“I have warned him before now, first one, second one, … so I felt so bad when I started hearing people saying that the government or governor directed the suspension … I took exception to that, and I felt it was an insult to my person.”
Ogba emphasized that he established Legacy FM before Governor Nwifuru took office, and that the governor has never interfered in the station’s operations.
“I established Legacy FM before this governor came on board, and since its establishment, the governor has never interfered, and nobody has, not even me. … When I couldn’t stomach it, I asked him to go and rest for a while, and it has nothing to do with the government of Ebonyi State.”
Ogba expressed willingness to reinstate Chikwere once he demonstrates contrition, apologizes to management and recommits to the station’s code of conduct.
