The Anambra State Government has dismissed as false reports claiming that Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo plans to go after Catholic priests following his re-election.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, described the viral report as “fabricated, baseless, and malicious,” urging the public to disregard it.
According to Mefor, the false story, which circulated on some blogs and social media platforms, alleged that Soludo had compared Catholic priests to native doctors and vowed to target them after securing a second term.
“The attention of the Anambra State Government has been drawn to a fabricated story circulating in some media outlets, alleging that Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, plans to arrest and jail Catholic bishops and priests after his re-election,” Mefor said.
“We categorically state that this report is entirely false, baseless, and malicious. This fabrication is a clear example of misinformation and fake news designed to create tension and undermine the peaceful atmosphere in the state.”
He attributed the report to “shadow opposition” resorting to propaganda and urged them to focus on substantive campaign issues.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to combating fake news and maintaining religious harmony, noting that Soludo remains a devoted member of the Catholic Church.
“The government respects the rights and freedoms of all citizens, including religious leaders,” he added. “We assure the Catholic Church and the general public that Governor Soludo has no such plans or intentions.”
Mefor urged residents to verify information before sharing and restated the government’s determination to sustain its crackdown on fake native doctors, false spiritualists, and impostors operating under religious titles.
