Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has declared war against PUNCH newspapers for reporting the views of opposition parties on the happenings in state.
Governor Rauf Aregbesola
Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has declared war against PUNCH newspapers for reporting the views of opposition parties on the happenings in state.
The governor, in a video clip, watched by Punch correspondent in Osogbo on Tuesday, made the public declaration of war against PUNCH and Tribune newspapers on September 8 during the commencement of distribution of plastic chairs and desks to schools in the state.
The ceremony was held at the premises of Adenle Middle School, Osogbo, the state capital.
Making reference to media reports of several months of unpaid salaries in the state, the governor said PUNCH and other newspapers supported his adversaries to lie against his government.
He said, “They didn’t spare us on any platform. Even today, they lied against us and some shameless organs of mass communication supported them.
“Say shame on them, shame! All of them and those who are supporting them. Some newspapers knew they were lying, yet they supported them. PUNCH, PUNCH reported last week Thursday that they had just released the money. The same PUNCH published today that we have kept the money for two months. Shame on all of them, shame!
“Newspapers are meant to educate the people, they are not meant to incite the public against the government. Shame on PUNCH, shame on TRIBUNE. I say it openly; let them challenge me.
“PUNCH newspaper, TRIBUNE newspapers have declared war on our state and we shall not spare them, we shall not spare them, it’s war!
“You can’t be attacking us and expect us to be quiet; we shall fight back. The time has come for us to fight back; we will fight back.