An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa, Chief Tari Emberru, has dismissed allegations linking the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, to arrested sea pirates and militants.
Emberru described the allegation as a “joke taken too far,” saying it was a politically motivated attempt to tarnish the image of the Speaker.
The APC chieftain made the assertion in a statement titled, “When Silence Becomes Betrayal,” issued in response to a Facebook post alleging the Speaker’s involvement with criminal elements.
He described the allegation as “cheap, vexatious, infantile and shameful,” arguing that the publication bore the hallmarks of political blackmail.
According to him, the allegation was being promoted by faceless individuals allegedly seeking pecuniary benefits by maligning the Speaker.
Emberru, who is a Chief of Buoama in Akassa and writes from Hurubo Polo, Buoama Kingdom, said the development was particularly disturbing because the alleged act was carried out in the Akassa dialect.
He said the video footage accompanying the allegation was laughable, accusing those behind it of allegedly attempting to manipulate a criminal suspect into making damaging claims.
“Political times are here, and unpopular political merchants who know they cannot win elections through the ballot are seeking ignorant people to do their dirty work,” he said.
He accused such individuals of attempting to smear, malign, vilify, defame and tarnish the reputation of perceived political opponents.
Emberru described Ingobere as an upright leader, capacity builder, community developer and mentor who had continued to stand tall in his responsibilities.
He urged the Akassa people, whom he described as “Akaha Ibe,” not to remain silent while individuals allegedly sought to misrepresent and destroy the reputation of the Speaker.
“Silence would become betrayal if we do not condemn these acts of criminality, not necessarily in the media space, but everywhere we find ourselves,” he said.
The APC chieftain further cautioned Akassa indigenes against allegedly joining political actors and faceless individuals to destroy one of their own.
“Silence becomes betrayal when you, as an Akassa person, join hands with political jobbers and faceless individuals to destroy your own and dim your light,” he said.
Emberru urged the people to reject actions capable of creating division and undermining the collective interest of the Akassa people.
He said the alleged attack on the Speaker should concern everyone, stressing that similar tactics could be deployed against other individuals in the future.
“Today, it is our Speaker; tomorrow, it might be you or me,” he said.
The APC chieftain therefore condemned the alleged campaign and appealed to Akassa people to refrain from actions capable of dividing the community and dragging it backwards.