By Mandy Tina
Senior Lecturer in the Political Science Department at Rivers State University, Dr. Reason Onya, has issued a strong rebuttal against recent allegations made by Hope Ikiriko, the immediate past Chairman of the LGA.
Onya, a major stakeholder in Ahoada West, and Former Commissioner of Urban Development and Physical Planning Rivers State, refuted claims that Governor Siminalayi Fubara directed the formation of a vigilante group in Ahoada West and Ahoada East LGAs, asserting that the initiative originated from the local government chairmen in collaboration with traditional institutions due to escalating insecurity.
He criticized Ikiriko for allegedly calling the Governor a criminal and an anarchist, describing these statements as unfounded and defamatory.
“Firstly, it’s quite fallacious for him to say the Governor directed that a vigilante group should be formed in Ahoada West and Ahoada East, it is the entire idea of the two local government Chairmen in collaboration with the traditional institution because of insecurity in the two LGA’s.
“If the Governor will direct, he would have done same in other local government areas in the state. The vigilante group was formed to curb insecurity in Ahoada West and East LGA’s, borrowing the concept from ONELGA LGA.
“I am not happy, after telling lies on the Governor, he went further to say the Governor is a criminal how dare him call the Governor of Rivers State a criminal. This is extremely unbecoming, like I said before in no distant time I will consult legal advice on this matter”.
Onya emphasized the peaceful and calm nature of Governor Fubara; “I do not really know the perspective he is coming in with anarchist, calling the Governor anarchist for a dove Governor, a peace loving person, is it because he is too calm, is it because he does not want any buhaha in the state, that they will be calling him names.
“This has to stop, if it does not, I will follow it to the letter after due consultation with my lawyers in accordance with the law of the land”.
The former Commissioner Urban Development, urged Ikiriko to exhibit more decorum in public discourse, adding that Ikiriko’s political influence is zero as he can not win election in his polling unit, if he continues with such behaviour.
“One thing I want Hope Kiriko to know, the movement he is referring in Ahoada West where we just finished our Ward to Ward tour is organic and he does not have anybody that will work with him. The few that are with him are his cronies, it will be immoral, unethical for them not to be with him, if not they could have not been with him
“His political culture is minus zero. He does not know how to manage human resources and that is why, I in person will never work with him if he continues such behaviourism.
“He does not know how to manage human resources and that is why he is alone, he can not say he has more people than us, definitely not. Even if I do not go to Ahoada West I will win him over and over in any election as I speak, if he does not change I will forever win him
“The concept of them being the one’s that brought Governor Siminalayi Fubara and God will take him out. If they brought the Governor constitutionally, the Governor would have to leave constitutionally. They can not say God will take him out, is the Governor going to drop dead? Is what they are leading to?
“One should learn to control his emotions, nothing should make one use fowl languages that he maybe called upon tomorrow when the need arises. As a brother I want you to apply decorum in absolutism when you talk in the public spaces.
You know, I like you a lot, but I do not like your political culture and stop insulting the Governor of Rivers State, I won’t take that from you, I will go personal on any further insult on the Governor of Rivers State, I will make sure the full weight of the law of the land takes it place”.(/
Onya concluded by warning that any further insults directed at the Governor would be met with legal action, stressing the importance of respect in political discussions.
