Odinkalu had in an interview with Channels TV, said the action of the Governor was an irresponsible use of public funds, especially considering the current economic challenges.
But in swift reaction, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions, described the statement by NHRC's former boss as an act of seeking cheap popularity and display of unsolicited propaganda.
He called on Professor Chidi Odinkalu to be focused on his Human Rights assignments, instead of delving into socio-economic matters beyond his comprehension and area of jurisdiction.
"The Professor, wanting cheap accolades and popularity decided to put his mouth into issues that concern Ebonyi State Government. The Governor has the right to buy official vehicles for Reverend fathers, because 98% of the population in Ebonyi State are Christians. These Priests have been assisting the State Government in bringing substantive peace in many troubled communities in Ebonyi State.
"And these people (Priests) are crusading for the peace and unity of the State. Since Governor Nwifuru's assumption of office, those areas, locations or States that shared boundary axis with Ebonyi State, where there had been crisis and wars and through the implementation of the Ebonyi State Charter of Needs, there have not been war or conflicts in those areas again."
According to the House of Representatives member, the monies meant to be used to take care of large security personnel in those areas can be channeled towards evangelical activities by the Priests for peace and conflict resolution of those areas.
The Chairman of Reformatory Institutions of the House of Representatives further berated the former NHRC's boss, saying that since he (Professor Odinkalu) was Chairman of the Commission, he has never made his statutory report known to the National Assembly, to the President, and to the Local Government, according to the mandate of the NHRC.
"From available reports, he doesn't have any accurate record of those he has helped in justifying their rights in prison or in the international Community. He may still come now and say that the Governor do not have the right to assist the traditional institutions in the State. "
Ogah further emphasized that the Governor has the right within the ambit of the Constitution to use his Security votes in making sure that there's peace and harmony in different parts of the State adding that the Governor was not misappropriating any fund meant for the Ebonyi people.
He added that Governor Nwifuru, since assumption of office was doing the will of the people as captured in Ebonyi Peoples Charter of Needs and advised the professor to be focused and articulate in carrying out his core mandate.
"And as someone within the circle of the Hunan Right Commission, he should give us a report of those he has defended or his achievements when he was the Human Rights boss in this Country.
"It's on record that when he was in office, about 700 individuals were to be recruited into the Human Rights Commission; how many people were recruited from Igboland or his village or Community? And he will have the audacity to say that our Governor is misappropriating public funds. I want to call him in order to avoid delving into matters outside his core mandate."
The House of Representatives member used the opportunity to call on Prof. Odinkalu to visit Ebonyi State and find out by himself what the Governor had done so far to ameliorate the socio-economic situation of Ebonyi people through his numerous empowerment programs and policies.
"I want to use this medium to invite him to Ebonyi State, to see what the Governor has done. We elected him (Nwifuru) and he is doing what we want in all aspects of life. Let him go and crosscheck the records and he will find out that Ebonyi State is notable for judicious management of public funds in this country.
"It's on record that since the Governor's assumption of office, he has never borrowed or approached any financial institution for any form of loan. Instead of criticizing what he doesn't know, the Professor should appreciate what our Governor is doing, which is tailored towards peace, progress, and prosperity of Ebonyi State.
"There's peace in Ebonyi State and the Governor is strategic about it. He is empowering the people through the creation of jobs, and and massive employment in the State Civil Service and the Health sector, among other areas. The Governor's policies are people-oriented and we are happy about it." Ends
