CSO Clears Rivers LG Boss Of Blame In Face-off With Aide

A civil society organisation, the Defence For Human Rights And Democracy (DHRD), has cleared the chairman of Ahoada-West local government area, Hon. Eugene Epelle, of Rivers State, of any blame in the recent face-off between him and one of his social media aides, Minnie Ogadinma.

Ogadimma had recently accused Epelle of invading their home at Odiokwu Community in the same LGA, along with his political thugs and attacked her after she posted the deplorable condition of a secondary school in the community.

The video which went viral on social media and other traditional media platforms, attracted the attention of human rights activists within and outside the state.

But, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, DHRD accused the girl of allowing herself to be used by political opponents of the council chairman, Epelle.

The statement, which was signed by the group’s chairman, Christopher Solomon, called on the Rivers State government to conduct a full investigation into the destruction of a section of Odiokwu Secondary School by some individuals.

The statement reads in part: “Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State has been in the news lately. The focus of the attention is on the alleged assault on one Minnie Ogadinma, a media aide to the Chairman of the LGA, Hon. Eugene Epelle.

“Minnie Ogadinma had alleged that her boss, the council chairman, had assaulted her. As usual, the Nigerian social media crowd went into a frenzy. They arraigned, judged and passed a verdict without hearing from the chairman or conducting an independent interrogation of what actually transpired, and its undercurrents.

“Itis equally important to note that the Odiokwu Community Secondary School has been nominated for renovation by the member of House of Representatives, representing Ahoada West/Ogba-Egbena-Ndoni LGAs, as past of his Constituency Projects, when he visited the school in 2024.

“The renovation was delayed due to a shortfall in Capital Allocation, in the year 2025.

Also, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) recently adopted Odiokwu Community Secondary School for remodelling and extensive renovations, including students’ hostels, laboratories, etc., which project is to commence soon.

“In their bid to ridicule and shame the Ahoada West LGA chairman, Minnie Ogadinma and her political paymasters ended up maliciously destroying government property.

“It is hoped that the Rivers State government will launch a full investigation into the destruction of government property by these meddlesome interlopers and prosecute anyone found culpable, as a way of sending a clear warning that no one has the right to tamper, alter or damage public property without the necessary authorisation, no matter how well intentioned.

“Despite the initial manipulation of public opinion and the social media space, emerging facts has proven beyond doubt that the hard working chairman of Ahoada East LGA, Hon. Eugene Epelle, was the victim of a cleverly concocted political ambush, masterminded by his political enemies and executed by a cold and heartless media aide, who to all intents and purposes, was a human landmine and a fifth columnist, embedded inside his administration to implode it from within.”