BEING THE FULL TEXT OF A WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY THE SAVE ENUGU GROUP (SEG) ON CURRENT AFFAIRS, MISCONCEPTIONS AND DELIBERATE CAMPAIGN OF CALUMNY AGAINST THE SAVE ENUGU GROUP OVER SERIES OF ARTICLES TARGETED AGAINST THE GOVERNOR IFEANYI UGWUANYI ADMINISTRATION AND PROMINENT PERSONS IN OUR DEAR STATE HELD AT ENUGU, ENUGU STATE ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2021

PROTOCOLS
Gentlemen of the press,
Ladies and gentlemen here present.

INTRODUCTION

You are all welcome to this world press conference organised by the Save Enugu Group (SEG), the frontline sociopolitical pressure group and the voice of the masses in the state.
The purpose of this media briefing is not to join issues with anyone or any group but to further clear the air over the recent confusionist agenda and deliberate misrepresentation, misunderstanding and misinformation about the activities of this association, which has been in existence almost since the advent of the current democratic experiment in Nigeria.
Up until now, the Save Enugu Group has carried on its pro-people activism, advocating for rule of law, transparent leadership and good governance.

We have also stood in defence of good governance, just as we have always condemned bad leadership. The most significant action by this association was the famous five-day ultimatum issued against the then governor Sullivan Chime over his refusal to hand over to his deputy to act on his behalf while he was in London hospital.

Before we look at the teething issue that occasioned this world press conference, there is the need to make it categorically clear that the Save Enugu Group is not affiliated to any political party and has never been associated with any individual seeking political office and will never be. The interest of the people has remained our driving force for the sake of the greater good.

THE ISSUES
It is no longer news that recently, a group that self-styled itself Save Enugu Group or Save Enugu Pressure Group, began churning out series of attacks on individuals and the government of Enugu State and by implication, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Let it be clearly known that this press briefing is not here to defend the Governor Ugwuanyi administration neither are we here to castigate the Governor.

We are here to present the facts as they are:
That Save Enugu Group (SEG), for the umpteenth time, is not the owners of a blog site registered as SaveEnugu.com or whatever name they call themselves and those who are seeking favour in any quarter should stop the deliberate attempt to link our association or the person of Chief Willy Ezugwu to the faceless owners of the website.

That our association, the Save Enugu Group, has never had any website and has no social media handles till date.

That any website or social media accounts in the name of Save Enugu Group, or any similar names, does not belong to us.

That Save Enugu Group has known leaders and has never operated undercover for any reason whatsoever. When we engage government on any anti-masses policy or activity, we have always done so openly.

That no organisation in Enugu State has promoted the good works of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi more than the Save Enugu Group in the past six years.

That we have issues with the government of Enugu State, and, for that reason, we have since written to the government to get clarifications and have been patiently awaiting answers. But the subject matter relating to our letter of enquiry to the government shall be a topic for another day.

However, we are stating this because some desperate praise singers, using different fictitious names, have been working round the clock to blackmail the person of Chief Willy Ezugwu as they have always done to no avail.

OUR POSITION
The Save Enugu Group (SEG) will continue undeterred to pursue its objectives geared towards deepening democracy in Enugu State and promoting good governance despite the campaign of calumny targeted at the leaders of the association.

We are aware that the whole idea behind the use of the name of our reputable sociopolitical association to set up a website is all about the politics of 2023.

Those who think that the situation has presented itself to drag the image of this association to the mud have failed. This is not the first time this association has been attacked by agents of destabilisation and enemies of the people of Enugu State.

But we will continue to stand on the side of the people and support the government of Enugu State when the government has done well and let the government also know when they are threading on a path that is anti-people despite the ongoing attempt by both the pro-government and anti-establishment interests to put the Save Enugu Group in the middle.

They must know that we are living in the information age where there is easy access to information. We have read some uninformed people or those desperate for favour to classify this association as anti-government of the day. Records are there how we continued to stand on the side of the people in the past ten years and we shall not deviate from that path of honour.

We challenge those behind the mask and usurping the name of this association to dare identify themselves and prove that they are acting with genuine intentions. We have already commenced investigation to identify those who are illegally using the name of this association. No one fighting a good cause will do so illegally. Those behind saveenugu.com has taken the evil path which leads to destruction as evil can only beget evil.

We state unequivocally that we will stop at nothing to protect our long standing reputation as a pro-people group and champions of accountability in our state.

Therefore, we will continue to hold government accountable to the people, promote good governance and stand on the side of justice and rule of law. We have never engage in blackmail and cannot start now. We will remain in the forefront of the defence of the people as the voice of the voiceless people of Enugu State.

Chief Willy Ezugwu
National Coordinator,
Save Enugu Group (SEG)