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Deputy Governor of Imo State, Gerald Irona, has described media reports that he beat up and ordered the arrest of one of his kinsmen, one Mr. Chidi, alias Chidi Chassis, as false and baseless.
In a statement issued yesterday by his Adviser on Communications, Dr. Walter Duru, Irona said his attention was drawn to the publication that he beat up Chidi, who hails from Oguta, his local government area.
“Our attention has been drawn to a false publication, authored by one Aliu Mambara, alleging that the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Alphonsus Gerald Irona ordered one Mr. Chidi to be beaten up in Oguta Council of the state.
“The writer also alleged that the Chidi may have fallen out with Irona when he raised concerns over the deputy governor’s alleged abandonment of his youth supporters, especially in Oguta and the oil producing region of the state, among other allegations,” the statement reads.
Duru explained that in line with Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s administration, electricity supply had been prioritised, stressing that it opened discussions with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).
He said in the last discussions, which involved critical stakeholders in Oguta communities, a young man was severally accused of vandalizing and carting away electrical equipment in the area, plunging the communities into darkness.
He, however, regretted that the young man who was invited to defend himself began to threaten his accusers, before the deputy governor and a senior police officer in the area, which led to his being detained him in detention.
“Ordinarily, one would not have bothered to responding to the mindless falsehood, but we need to put the records straight.
“In line with Governor Ihedioha administration’s vision for the state to ensure that electricity is restored in rural communities, the Deputy Governor opened discussions with the management of the EEDC.
“One of the concerns raised by EEDC’s management in their meetings with Irona was the need to protect power installations in the state, as well as seek partnership with community leaders and law enforcement agencies,” the statement added.
He pointed out that during the meetings, about seven persons accused Chidi Chassis of being responsible for the disappearance of electrical installations in Oguta
“It took the intervention of the Deputy Governor, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Oguta and other community leaders to save Chidi from being lynched by angry youths of the community.
“Chidi is presently being detained at Oguta Divisional Police Station, where he is assisting the Police with useful information in investigation of the vandalism and stealing of electrical installations in the area,” it said.
