STOP MISLEADING THE PEOPLE: VERIFY FACTS BEFORE PUBLISHING POLITICAL ATTACKS

STOP MISLEADING THE PEOPLE: VERIFY FACTS BEFORE PUBLISHING POLITICAL ATTACKS

RE: REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE CLAIMED ₦15 MILLION TO FUGAR VIGILANTE

By Oshioke Samuel Omokpo for Concerned Etsako Central Elite

Etsako Central LGA

The recent publication by Adams Erepo against the administration of Hon. Cephas Yakubu Mohammed is a clear example of how political bitterness can distort public discourse when facts are ignored in favor of sensational accusations. Criticism in a democracy is legitimate, but responsible criticism must be built on proper verification, honesty, and evidence not emotional assumptions, selective narratives, and politically motivated conclusions. It is deeply unfortunate that someone who claims to speak for the people failed to conduct basic project verification before rushing to publish damaging allegations capable of misleading the public.

Before accusing anybody of propaganda or project hijacking, basic investigative responsibility demands physical inspection and fact-checking. The records of projects executed and ongoing under the present administration are visible across Etsako Central Local Government. The construction of a six-classroom block at Igbagidi Primary School in Fugar exists. The ongoing construction of another six-classroom block in Ward 10 exists. The 30 units of open market stalls in Ward 7 exist. The industrial power borehole in Anegbette exists. The reconstruction of the Fugar abattoir exists. The skill acquisition centre in Anegbette exists. The rehabilitation of water boreholes in Ivhiarua exists. These are not social media fantasies or newspaper headlines they are projects physically located within communities where people can visit and verify for themselves. It is therefore reckless for anyone to deliberately ignore these realities while attempting to create a false impression of zero performance.

More troubling is the attempt to manipulate the issue of the ₦15 million vigilante funding without presenting complete context. The local government currently maintains over 300 vigilante personnel securing communities across the council area. With each personnel reportedly receiving ₦50,000 monthly operational support, simple arithmetic alone explains the financial figure being discussed publicly. Instead of sensationalizing security funding for political drama, genuine stakeholders should appreciate the importance of community-based security support at a time when many local governments struggle with insecurity. Public accountability is important, yes, but accountability must not become a disguise for calculated political attacks driven by desperation for public sympathy.

It is also important to remind political commentators that governance is not conducted on Facebook pages, press releases, or media propaganda from opposition camps. Serious leadership is measured through infrastructure, healthcare intervention, educational support, workers’ welfare, grassroots security initiatives, and practical economic relief for citizens. Under Hon. Cephas Yakubu Mohammed’s administration, free enrollment opportunities were provided for 100 students, workers’ salary arrears were addressed, medical outreach programmes were successfully carried out across communities, and several residents benefited from healthcare support initiatives. The administration also received recognition for excellence in HPV Vaccination and Cervical Cancer Prevention. These are documented interventions, not imaginary achievements manufactured for headlines.

Those rushing to publish damaging articles against public office holders must learn the importance of verification before circulation. Journalism and public commentary carry moral responsibility. Publishing half-truths, unverified claims, and politically manipulated narratives only damages public trust and weakens democratic accountability. The people of Etsako Central deserve honest engagement, not emotionally charged blackmail disguised as activism. If criticism must be made, let it be factual, balanced, and evidence-driven. But when facts are ignored simply to create controversy, the public has every right to question the credibility and intentions behind such publications.

Political opposition should never become opposition to truth itself. The era where people can sit behind keyboards, manufacture outrage, and expect citizens to believe every narrative without verification is over. The people are wiser now. They can see projects. They can visit communities. They can verify claims independently. Those seeking public relevance through media attacks must therefore understand that credibility is earned through truth, not noise. Because in the end, facts will always defeat propaganda, and reality will always expose exaggeration.