Nigeria, Aug. 31, 2016 – The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in Bayelsa state, has expressed concern over incessant rumour mongering among the people, submitting that it was capable of discouraging local and foreign investors and as well portray the state in bad light.
The party also commiserated with Chief Justice of Bayelsa, Justice Kate Abiri over the death of her son, describing the Late Abiri as a youth with a promising career, and that he would have been an asset not only to the state but the entire country if not for the sad incident.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the State Chairman of PDP, Mr. Moses Cleopas, said the development was giving the leadership of the party, the government and well meaning people of the state a sleepless nights noting its implications on the economy and integrity of the people of the state.
According to him, the thriving business in Bayelsa state now, according to pundits, is rumour mill and it supposed not to be so, considering the efforts being put in place by the present administration to reposition and rebrand the State.
Describing rumour mongering as handiwork of mischief makers, Cleopas said it was another antics of the enemies of progress to distract the government and pull it down, adding that, the door of the present administration is always open for people to verify their facts.
He said, “How do you expect a right thinking person to invest in such environment where rumour mongering is now being seeing as a way of life? We are talking about investment, how to improve our Internally Generated Revenue, and some people inside their rooms are busy fabricating lies?
“Imagine sometimes ago, there was this rumour that government received over N19 billion as monthly allocation and some people are so gullible that they believed so much in the story and instead of verifying their facts, they are busy spreading the rumour from one corner of the state to the other. This development is affecting our dear state, and it is high time for our people to desist from this act. I wonder why our situation is like this. In other states, the issue of rumour mongering, even though it is common, the rate is not as high as our own.
“To us, as a party, rumour mongers should be treated as criminals because they do not mean well for the state. There should be legislation to this effect.
