Key political leaders in Biase Local Government Area have strongly dismissed a viral social media publication alleging the formation of a new political support group under the banner “ACIF (Alex, Charles, Ijom, Francis).”
The publication, which surfaced on Facebook and WhatsApp, claimed that Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Bishop Alex Ukam, Hon. Charles Atu, Barr. Odum-Ijom Ukam, and Hon. Engr. Francis Ogban were behind a purported group whose mission was to “retire respected leaders of Biase” and dictate the sharing of political offices ahead of 2027.
In a joint statement on Thursday, the leaders described the report as “false, mischievous, and a deliberate attempt to drag their names into needless controversy.”
“This so-called ACIF exists only in the imagination of cowards and their paymasters, who are hiding behind fake accounts,” the statement read. “Biase is too enlightened to be deceived by such cheap blackmail. The people know those who have genuinely served and those who only survive by fabricating divisions.”
The leaders stressed that they remain committed to peace, unity, and development in Biase, and would not be distracted by “faceless cowards who operate in the dark while true leaders stand in the open with their people.”
They further warned that continued circulation of such falsehoods could attract legal consequences, citing Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, which criminalizes the deliberate spread of false information capable of causing annoyance, ill-will, or hatred through electronic platforms.
“Freedom of speech is not freedom to slander and blackmail,” they declared, issuing a “final warning” to the sponsors of the publication.
While assuring the people of Biase of their commitment to service, the leaders reaffirmed that “power comes from God” and not from propaganda or fake social media accounts.
The statement was jointly signed by:
Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Bishop Alex Ukam
Hon. Charles Atu
Barr. Odum-Ijom Ukam
Hon. Engr. Francis Ogba
