The comments by some members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Delta State Chapter questioning the capability of the, Delta State House of Assembly speaker to make the right decisions drew fierce criticism Thursday from the Chief Press Secretary to the speaker, Mr. Henry Ebireri.
He described the utterances of these workers as reckless, ridiculous, unbelievable, disgusting, inaccurate and insulting.
“These workers have consciously and definitely shown disdain for the speaker”
In a statement in Asaba, Ebireri refuted some of the distractions spewing from unguarded quarters in the state, saying those behind them do not wish the Delta State House of Assembly well.
He praised the speaker for his dogged commitment to principles in the practice of politics, the rule of law and the best democratic tradition of fairness and justice.
“Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya is a brilliant lawmaker. He has respect for the Almighty God and passion for the people. He is against forms of behaviors that are alien to or subversive of the rule of law” the CPS said.
Wondering why Igbuya’s good name and image would be tarnished by these workers and their sponsors, Ebireri described critics of Deputy Clerk, Barrister Otto Aghoghophia as self-seeking people.
“The appointment of Otto reflects the wishes of the workers. The law didn’t say the appointee must be the most senior staff”
The spokesperson of the speaker apart from drawing attention to the orchestrated campaign of hate, slander and witch-hunting being undertaken by some workers and their sponsors advised uninformed writers in the state to stop advertising ignorance.
“Mister Speaker should not be a subject of undue attack. He should be applauded in his quest to bring about economic and social development in Delta State. Blackmailers should look for cheap targets elsewhere” he said.
Ebireri who also condemned some misleading stories sponsored by the enemies of the state to push their selfish agenda and justify unrealistic conclusions about Igbuya praised the Delta State Speaker for providing the necessary environment for the development of the workers.
“The culture of gangsterism as manifested in the protest by some workers against Otto cannot be allowed to prevail. By grade level, Mr. Otto is qualified and his appointment cannot be equated to a breach of the rule of law”.
He commended the astute politician for making Delta State, particularly Sapele proud by his achievements in politics.
“Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya, an expert on procedure and rules, has done Delta State proud. Sapele has never had it so good in terms of provision of amenities and infrastructure” he said.
He advised critics of the speaker to define the objectives and strategies of their struggles more clearly than degenerating into abuses, lies and wild allegations.
“Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya is travelling on the road that leads to success”
He called on civil servants, politicians and youths to emulate the virtues of Igbuya by pursuing peace, progress and development.
“Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya is a politician with a conscience. He will continue to incur envy, malice and hatred from those who see perfidy as a virtue in politics” he said”
He also advised the workers to thread softly in order not to plunge the state into a major crisis.
“Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya shall not be distracted in his God assigned role of developing Delta State through legislative processes” he added.