By Samuel Ibezim

SAM Onwuemedo, chief press secretary, CPS, to Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, is supposed to be the chief image maker of the governor but unfortunately, when reporters call to confirm issues on the state, he does the opposite. In most cases, he becomes abusive.

This ugly side of him  was reflected on Friday, May 11, when Realnews reporter called him for reactions on fire outbreak at All Progressives Congress, APC, state secretariat, Owerri. Onwuemedo, in his usual manner of insulting reporters, resorted to obscene words in both in English and Igbo languages. Excerpts of the recorded conversation is here.

The CPS’ outburst is not likely to be a surprise to some of the reporters who had ever come across the young man. On Wednesday, December 13 2017, Onwuemedo, also the publisher of White newspapers, an Owerri-based tabloid, abused journalists at the Imo State House of Assembly press gallery when Okorocha presented 2018 annual budget. The journalists present were anxious to get a copy of the budget to enable them file their stories as the late coming of the governor kept them on the edge of not beating deadline. On sighting the CPS with the copies, they approached him for copies, but instead of obliging them, he started to pour abusive words on them. A female journalist from the Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, felt offended and stoutly told him off and warned him never to abuse the families of journalists again.

Similarly, he has been in a running battle with the state correspondents of national dailies. Chidiebube Okeoma, Punch correspondent, in a chat with Realnews described Onwuemedo as a misfit and a sadist who takes joy in belittling journalism profession through junk and poor reports he issues to the press as a release. He recalled how he dealt with him early this year when he wanted to force him out of the government house as he had to remind the CPS that the government building belongs to everyone and not his private house.

– Jun. 25, 2018 @ 12:29 GMT |