‘For the avoidance of the doubt, there is no school by the name ‘Echocho Secondary school’. What we have is ‘Isah Memorial College’ established in 2004’
Embattled governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State Jibrin Isah (Echocho) yesterday raised the alarm over efforts to link him to some Boko Haram suspects arrested in the state.
Echocho in a statement in Abuja by the Director, Public Communication and Strategy of The Jibrin Isah Campaign Organisation, Phrank Shaibu, said media reports linking his private school in Kogi State to the suspects were “coordinated campaigns to tarnish his reputation” by desperate politicians in the state.
He said some political actors in Kogi State are jittery because of a Supreme Court judgment to be delivered on Monday.
The statement entitled: “Stop this blackmail of the judiciary”, reads: “Our attention has been drawn to media reports linking a private business concern of our principal, The Isah Memorial College, Ajiolo, with an alleged Boko Haram suspect as well as coordinated media campaigns aimed at tarnishing the reputation of our principal, Jibrin Isah (Echocho) orchestrated by some desperate politicians.
“For the avoidance of the doubt, there is no school by the name ‘Echocho Secondary school’. What we have is ‘Isah Memorial College’ established in 2004.
“Secondly, the suspected lecturer is not in the employment of Isa Memorial College.” The school is not an Islamic institution as we have Christians as students, teachers, care-givers and non academic staff.”
He alleged that those behind the smear campaign are using President Goodluck Jonathan as cover to hound-wink undeserving people of Kogi state.
Echocho added: “These same characters have worked overtime to make the Kogi people believe that their actions are supported by President Goodluck Jonathan.
“His role as the custodian of Nigeria’s democracy remains foremost and demands of him to uphold high standards of impartiality and truthfulness on issues that will advance Nigeria’s democracy.”
