The Executive Chairman of Aba North Local Government Area of Abia State, Hon Prince David Ikonne, has frowned at rumors making the rounds on social media that he had a confrontation with the council’s Head of Department on Works, Mrs Anosike Chidinma, that resulted in hitting her with wood.
In a press statement issued to journalists in Aba, on Thursday, Ikonne reiterated his cordial working relationship with the staff, management and councilors of Aba North Local Government Area.
“It is sad that in this clime, anyone with an Android phone automatically becomes a journalist without requisite training that enthrones the ethos and ethics of journalism practice, which its cardinal objectives includes, verified investigative and balanced reportage,” he said.
Continuing, he stated, “Apart from the obvious that I came from a decent and disciplined background, I have this personal respect for the female gender and would never raise my hands on any woman or hitting a female with wood – it is despicable.
“The truth is; we are carrying out renovation works at the council headquarters, including the filling of potholes in the Local Government Area, a job I am doing with the speed of light”.
He further expressed dismay that there were attempts to erect delay hurdles through bureaucratic bottlenecks which did not go down well with his pace of work, explaining that his reaction was merely within the tenets of administrative laid down rules and it never warranted any quarrel that could trigger him picking up a stick or even contemplate hitting any employee of the council.
He urged the people of Aba North and Abia at large, to ignore rumours mongers, and mischief-makers who are bent on circulating fake news to beam the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration in a bad light, and as well as being the government to disrepute through organized blackmail and unnecessary propaganda.
Prince Ikonne used the medium to call on the people of Aba North, residents, and the entire Abians to sustain their unflinching support to the Ikpeazu-led government in its avowed commitment to leave lasting legacies in the state.
He also urged them to avoid any act of making efforts to pull the government down through cheap propaganda.
