By Idahosa Musa
Benin – Former Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly and current Member, Representing Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency at the Nigeria’s National Assembly, Hon. Marcus Onobun, has distanced himself from any cult-related activities in his Iruekpen hometown, Edo State.
Tension, on Sunday engulfed the agrarian town of Iruekpen, following alleged resurgence of cult-related activities, allegedly linked to members of the “Supreme Eiye Confraternity”, otherwise known as ‘Eiye’
It was reported that the suspected Eiye members allegedly regrouped at the Federal Lawmaker’s residence in the town, a development that triggered serious alarm among community members, who accused him of being complicit in fostering insecurity.
The people feared that the renewed activities of the alleged secret cult members could lead to an increase in criminal activity and endanger the lives of youths in the area.
They, however, issued a passionate plea to the Edo State Government and the Nigerian Police Force, urging them to intervene swiftly.
Reacting swiftly through a press statement, Hon. Onobun, described the allegations as not only false, baseless and unfounded, but politically motivated and attempts to tarnish his hard-earned reputation.
His words: “My attention has been drawn to some unfounded and malicious rumours being circulated across various quarters, both online and offline, alleging my involvement or association with cult-related activities in Iruekpen.
“I, Hon. Marcus Onobun, honorable member, representing Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal constituency categorically and unequivocally refute claims of any such association or involvement.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I am not directly or indirectly involved in cultism nor have I ever supported, encouraged, financed, or participated in any activity that promotes it in any form whatsoever.
“These allegations are not only false and baseless and unfounded, but they also appear to be politically motivated, attempts to tarnish my hard-earned reputation, distract from the developmental strides we are making, and undermine the trust and confidence the good people of Iruekpen and beyond have reposed in me.
“I am a firm believer in the rule of law, democratic principles, and peaceful co-existence. Throughout my public service career, as erstwhile Speaker of the Edo state house of Assembly…”
Continuing, Hon. Onobun stated: “I have championed initiatives aimed at empowering our youth through education, skills acquisition, mentorship, and community development—initiatives that are fundamentally at odds with the menace of cultism and social vices.
“Let it be on record that from reliable sources, I am informed the clash degenerated from land dispute between two (2) aggrieved individuals which ended in physical assault around the cattle market and not in anyway close to my residence with the involved partied parting with several degrees of injury.
“The security and safety of our people tops my priorities as a federal lawmaker, as no development sees the light of the day in an unsafe environment, thus, the recently commissioned police state in Iruekpen community”
He added: “I hereby call on the Edo state government to effect measures against land grabbers that lead to the establishment of the Edo state geographical Information service(EdoGIS).
“I also call on the media and members of the public to exercise due diligence and verify facts before spreading information that could incite panic or cause reputational damage.
“To those behind these malicious fabrications, I urge you to desist from the politics of character assassination. Our community deserves leaders and citizens who promote unity, progress, and constructive dialogue—not divisiveness and falsehood”, he stated
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