The Imo State government claimed that one of its critics approached Governor Hope Uzodinma seeking an agreement.
Information Strategy Secretary Declan Emelumba said the critic had promised a cease-fire if he was paid an undisclosed sum.
Mr Emelumba disclosed this in a statement yesterday.
He said this person contacted friends of the governor and proved that he was a blackmailer and extortionist.
Emelumba said the critic’s demands vindicated the government’s previous position that he was not fighting for the people or motivated by morality.
He said, “When we described him as an extortionist and extortionist, the people thought we were too harsh on him, but now dissatisfaction and hunger have led to an unwarranted and unfounded attack on his governorship.'' “It is clear that this is the only motive for the false claim.”
“We can confirm that he has contacted several people, including some government officials, requesting him to persuade the governor to provide funds to stop the baseless attacks on Uzodimma. .
“One such person he contacted was a Lagos-based businessman who spoke to him on the phone on Wednesday and later sent him his Opay account number for a flight ticket to Lagos to close the deal. There are records of similar conversations.
The commissioner said it was disappointing to see the work of a critic who was offered the opportunity to serve as a commissioner but failed miserably in the job.
He said the most painful aspect of this entire saga is that the police docket of the critic, who was charged with stealing government property, remains open.
On whether the government was considering buying silence as demanded by his critics, Mr Emelumba said the idea should die because Governor Uzodinma had nothing to hide.
