By Mfonobong Ukpong
Against the backdrop of a recent news report in some quarters credited to Mrs. Elsie Esara's political mentor, Senator Anietie Okon, where he(Okon) was quoted to have accused the House of Assembly member for Itu, Hon. Idongesit Ituen of 'harassing' the Transition Committee Chairman of the Itu local government council, Mrs. Elsie Esara, the woman in the eye of the storm has denounced the claim by her mentor.
Appearing before the House of Assembly committee on local government and Chieftaincy Affairs on Monday, the Itu Chairman who apologised to the chairman and members of the committee for snubbing the committee recently, Mrs. Esara while defending the allegations leveled against her by some members of the local government transition committee, expressed regret at the statement credited to her mentor.
Responding to comments credited to Senator Okon on the social media where he attacked Hon. Idongesit Ituen in his interview as was reported in some state based tabloid, the Itu council Chairman said "I do not have anything against Hon. Ituen. I have never given you any gift, talkless of giving you any money" .
" You have never harassed me. I don't know why people should write that, and i don't know why they said that". I stand here to apologise on behalf of those people that wrote that".
Members of the the transition committed and other parties in the matter including former Heads of service, Director of works, budget, and that of finance also answered questions put to them by the committee members.
Highpoint of the meeting was when both parties in the matter including the council Chairman, Esara, and Secretary of council, and members of the Transition Committee all agreed that there was need for a peaceful resolution of the matter.
They pleaded with the committee that they were ready for peace in the overall interest of the local government area.
Chairman of the the House committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Idongesit Ntepere, said the committee was on a fact finding mission, adding that what was paramount is for peace to reign in the council.
He explained that his committee was not embarking on a witch hunt, but that it was carrying out its constitutional mandate.
Other members of the committee who were present during the meeting include, Hon. Nse Ntuen, Hon. Idongesit Ituen and Hon. Mark Esset.
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