Sunny Ekpeson Blasts Fake News Peddlers: “My Focus Is Giving Etsako East People the Dividend of Democracy”
The Executive Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Council and Edo State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Rt. Hon. Sunny Ekpetika Ekpeson, has strongly condemned the circulation of what he described as false and misleading information concerning the recent inauguration of the council’s elected officials.
Ekpeson made his position known while reacting to a viral video circulated by an online platform, which purportedly suggested that he was swearing in councillors at a hotel in Benin City.
The council chairman dismissed the claim as completely false, describing the deliberate spread of misleading information to the public as unfortunate and pitiable.
According to him, the video was taken out of context, explaining that he merely invited the councillors to address them while he was in Benin City carrying out his responsibilities as the Edo State ALGON Chairman.
“I simply called my councillors to address them,” Ekpeson explained.
He noted that as ALGON Chairman, most of the newly inaugurated local government chairmen were already in their respective council secretariats performing their official duties, while his presence in Benin City was necessitated by his responsibilities at the state and national level.
The Etsako East Chairman further explained that the presence of a Vice Chairman provides the necessary constitutional and administrative framework for the council chairman to delegate responsibilities when required.
“I am in Benin to perform my duty as ALGON Chairman, and I believe that is why we have Vice Chairmen at the local government. Where you cannot perform, you delegate power,” he said.
Ekpeson disclosed that he therefore delegated the Vice Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Council, Comr. Charles Aloaye Dagana to swear in the Secretary to the Local Government Council and the ten elected ward councillors, adding that the exercise was duly conducted with photographic and video evidence available.
He consequently challenged those circulating the contrary narrative to verify facts before publishing, stressing that the attempt to generate online traffic through unverified claims would not distract him from his responsibilities.
“Whatever fake peddlers are pushing out is just a way for their survival because if they don't push those things, they won't have traffic,” he stated.
Rather than engage in unnecessary distractions, Ekpeson said his attention remains firmly focused on delivering tangible development to the people of Etsako East who entrusted him with their mandate.
“My focus is how to give Etsako East people who entrusted me with their mandate to feel the dividend of democracy,” he declared.
The council chairman highlighted several areas of intervention under his administration, including efforts to improve security, the reconstruction and renovation of schools, educational support programmes and road infrastructure.
He recalled his initiative to support indigent students with WAEC and JAMB forms, particularly those whose parents may not have the financial capacity to afford the fees.
Ekpeson also pointed to the ongoing grading of roads across the local government, noting that 64 roads have been graded in Okpella, while 21 roads in Okpekpe are receiving attention, with heavy-duty construction equipment already deployed to the area.
“You can go there and see for yourself for verification,” he said, challenging members of the public to independently verify the projects rather than rely on social media claims.
The chairman further urged online publishers and content creators to make responsible use of their platforms, warning against deliberately misleading the public simply for clicks, engagement or traffic.
“If online peddlers think posting my name would put food on their table without verification, they should carry on,” Ekpeson said.
He, however, maintained that he would not allow such reports to derail his commitment to serving the people, adding with confidence: “At least, my name has helped a life. Glory be to God.”
Agbukor Lucky Apeakhuye,
Media Aide to the Edo ALGON & Etsako East Local Government Council Chairman Rt. Hon. Sunny Ekpetika Ekpeson on Politics and Strategic Development
Ekpeson made his position known while reacting to a viral video circulated by an online platform, which purportedly suggested that he was swearing in councillors at a hotel in Benin City.
The council chairman dismissed the claim as completely false, describing the deliberate spread of misleading information to the public as unfortunate and pitiable.
According to him, the video was taken out of context, explaining that he merely invited the councillors to address them while he was in Benin City carrying out his responsibilities as the Edo State ALGON Chairman.
“I simply called my councillors to address them,” Ekpeson explained.
He noted that as ALGON Chairman, most of the newly inaugurated local government chairmen were already in their respective council secretariats performing their official duties, while his presence in Benin City was necessitated by his responsibilities at the state and national level.
The Etsako East Chairman further explained that the presence of a Vice Chairman provides the necessary constitutional and administrative framework for the council chairman to delegate responsibilities when required.
“I am in Benin to perform my duty as ALGON Chairman, and I believe that is why we have Vice Chairmen at the local government. Where you cannot perform, you delegate power,” he said.
Ekpeson disclosed that he therefore delegated the Vice Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Council, Comr. Charles Aloaye Dagana to swear in the Secretary to the Local Government Council and the ten elected ward councillors, adding that the exercise was duly conducted with photographic and video evidence available.
He consequently challenged those circulating the contrary narrative to verify facts before publishing, stressing that the attempt to generate online traffic through unverified claims would not distract him from his responsibilities.
“Whatever fake peddlers are pushing out is just a way for their survival because if they don't push those things, they won't have traffic,” he stated.
Rather than engage in unnecessary distractions, Ekpeson said his attention remains firmly focused on delivering tangible development to the people of Etsako East who entrusted him with their mandate.
“My focus is how to give Etsako East people who entrusted me with their mandate to feel the dividend of democracy,” he declared.
The council chairman highlighted several areas of intervention under his administration, including efforts to improve security, the reconstruction and renovation of schools, educational support programmes and road infrastructure.
He recalled his initiative to support indigent students with WAEC and JAMB forms, particularly those whose parents may not have the financial capacity to afford the fees.
Ekpeson also pointed to the ongoing grading of roads across the local government, noting that 64 roads have been graded in Okpella, while 21 roads in Okpekpe are receiving attention, with heavy-duty construction equipment already deployed to the area.
“You can go there and see for yourself for verification,” he said, challenging members of the public to independently verify the projects rather than rely on social media claims.
The chairman further urged online publishers and content creators to make responsible use of their platforms, warning against deliberately misleading the public simply for clicks, engagement or traffic.
“If online peddlers think posting my name would put food on their table without verification, they should carry on,” Ekpeson said.
He, however, maintained that he would not allow such reports to derail his commitment to serving the people, adding with confidence: “At least, my name has helped a life. Glory be to God.”
Agbukor Lucky Apeakhuye,
Media Aide to the Edo ALGON & Etsako East Local Government Council Chairman Rt. Hon. Sunny Ekpetika Ekpeson on Politics and Strategic Development
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