78-HOUR ULTIMATUM: Emmanuel Osolo Warns Goodluck Ojusin Over Alleged Public Insults, Demands Unreserved Apology to Bolowei Hon. Emmanuel Omoko & Hon. Spencer Okubo Okpeye, Cautions Against Reckless Social Media Attacks
78-HOUR ULTIMATUM: Emmanuel Osolo Warns Goodluck Ojusin Over Alleged Public Insults, Demands Unreserved Apology to Bolowei Hon. Emmanuel Omoko & Hon. Spencer Okubo Okpeye, Cautions Against Reckless Social Media Attacks
EGBEMA KINGDOM — Community and youth leader, Comrade Emmanuel Osolo, has issued a 78-hour ultimatum to Mr. Goodluck Ojusin, demanding that he tender an unreserved public apology to the Bolowei of Egbema Kingdom, Hon. Emmanuel Omoko, popularly known as Alhaji, and Hon. Spencer Okubo Okpeye, over what Osolo described as alleged insulting and disparaging statements made publicly against the two Egbema leaders.
Comrade Osolo, in a strongly worded reaction, condemned what he described as the growing practice of taking disagreements and community issues to social media platforms in a manner that allegedly descends into personal attacks, insults and accusations against respected leaders.
According to him, while every son and daughter of Opuama and Egbema Kingdom has the legitimate right to express an opinion, aspire to leadership or contest any recognized community position, such rights must be exercised with responsibility, respect, maturity and regard for the rule of law.
He stressed that disagreement with a leader does not give anyone the licence to allegedly insult, ridicule or make unsubstantiated accusations against such a person in the public space.
Comrade Osolo maintained that genuine concerns about community leadership, accountability or development should be presented through appropriate channels where the issues can be properly examined and addressed.
He particularly frowned at what he described as the alleged use of social media to wage personal campaigns against Egbema leaders, insisting that social media should not be turned into a battlefield for character attacks and the circulation of claims that have not been properly established.
He said the dignity of the Bolowei of Egbema Kingdom and other recognized community leaders must be respected, irrespective of political, personal or community differences.
Comrade Emmanuel Osolo therefore called on Mr. Goodluck Ojusin to immediately review his alleged public statements and social media activities and publicly apologize to Hon. Emmanuel Omoko, the Bolowei of Egbema Kingdom, and Hon. Spencer Okubo Okpeye.
He gave Ojusin 78 hours from the time of the warning to issue what he described as a clear, unequivocal and unreserved public apology to the affected leaders.
Osolo emphasized that the demand for an apology is not an attempt to prevent anyone from expressing legitimate concerns or participating in community leadership.
Nobody is saying that any son or daughter of Opuama should not contest for a leadership position. Everyone has the right to aspire to leadership. But ambition must be pursued with dignity, maturity and respect. You cannot disagree with a leader and turn social media into a platform for insults and personal attacks.
The youth leader also urged members of the public to exercise caution before publishing or circulating serious allegations against individuals, particularly community leaders.
He noted that allegations concerning the management of community resources, allocations or development funds are serious matters that should be supported with credible evidence and subjected to appropriate scrutiny.
According to him, anyone with genuine evidence of wrongdoing should present such evidence before the appropriate community authorities or relevant lawful institutions rather than relying solely on social media accusations.
He warned that making serious allegations publicly without adequate verification could unnecessarily inflame tensions, damage reputations and further divide communities.
Comrade Osolo called on Egbema youths to reject what he described as a culture of disrespect, urging young people to become agents of peace, accountability and responsible leadership.
He said Egbema Kingdom needs constructive engagement and unity at a time when the kingdom requires collective efforts to address its developmental, political and social challenges.
He further maintained that criticism is an important part of community development, but such criticism must be constructive, factual and respectful, rather than abusive or personally targeted.
We must learn to separate criticism from insult. You can disagree with a leader without abusing him. You can demand accountability without destroying someone's dignity. You can contest an election without turning your opponent into an enemy. This is the kind of maturity Egbema needs from its youths.
Comrade Osolo warned that if Mr. Ojusin fails to comply with the 78-hour ultimatum, he may be compelled to explore appropriate lawful channels concerning the alleged statements and conduct.
He stressed that the warning should not be interpreted as a threat, but as a call for responsible conduct, peaceful engagement and respect for the rights and dignity of individuals.
He urged all parties to avoid further escalation and use dialogue and established community mechanisms to resolve their differences.
The youth leader appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, elders and youths of Egbema Kingdom to discourage inflammatory exchanges and encourage constructive dialogue whenever disagreements arise.
He said the future of Egbema depends largely on the ability of its sons and daughters to disagree without destroying one another.
Comrade Osolo concluded by urging Mr. Ojusin to use the opportunity provided by the 78-hour ultimatum to resolve the matter peacefully by tendering the requested public apology.
He reiterated that freedom of expression comes with responsibility, and that every individual has a duty to ensure that public expressions do not unnecessarily undermine peace, unity and mutual respect within the community.
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