I made up stories about Soludo, son for financial gain – Blogger

A blogger, Ejike Ofoegbu , has issued a public apology and unconditional retraction over a series of false stories published about Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and his son, Ozonna admitting that the reports were fabricated to generate online traffic and financial gain.

Ofoegbu, the owner and publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and News, made the apology in a statement titled “Public Apology and Full Retraction”, shared on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Abia State on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma.

In the statement, he admitted that several reports attributed to Soludo and his son were entirely fabricated and were not based on verified facts or credible sources.

“I publicly admit that the stories I published concerning Governor Soludo and his son were completely fake, false, fabricated, and untrue. They did not come from Governor Soludo, his son, his family, or any official representative.

“They were not based on any verified facts or credible source, and they should never have been presented as news,” he said.

The publisher specifically retracted several viral posts, including fabricated claims that Soludo had disowned his son, Ozo; that Ozo described his father as a drunkard who abused his mother; a satirical claim that the governor “ordered Ozo from Temu”; and another post purportedly quoting Ozo challenging Nyesom Wike to a drinking competition with his father.

“I state clearly and without reservation that every one of the statements above was fake. They should not be regarded as factual reports or genuine quotations. I take full responsibility for publishing them,” he added.

Ofoegbu also admitted publishing other false reports involving Soludo and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, including claims suggesting Obi would defeat the governor in an election.

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“I also wish to acknowledge that the false posts listed above were not the only fabricated stories I published about Governor Soludo. Among other posts on Igbo Times Magazine and INews, I also published false and misleading stories involving Governor Soludo and Mr. Peter Obi, including claims that Mr Peter Obi would defeat Governor Soludo in an election.

“Those stories were also completely false, were not based on any verified facts, and should never have been published,” he stated.

The publisher confessed that the publications were driven by the desire to attract audience engagement and generate revenue.

“I sincerely admit that I published such stories in pursuit of online traffic, audience engagement, and financial gain. I now realise that no amount of money or online attention can justify spreading false information or damaging another person’s reputation. I deeply regret my actions and accept full responsibility for everything I published,” he said.

He apologised to Governor Soludo, his family, associates, readers of his platforms and the people of Anambra State for the embarrassment and reputational damage caused by the reports.

“To Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, I respectfully and humbly ask for your forgiveness. I sincerely apologise for my actions and for publishing information that was false.

“I also apologise to the people of Anambra State, readers of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, and everyone who may have seen or shared these false publications. I am committed to correcting this mistake and ensuring that such an incident does not happen again.

“This statement serves as my full and unconditional retraction of those publications. They were false, fabricated, and should be disregarded in their entirety,” he added.