Suburban Water Heater Wiring Issues

Dry Camper you are right in that I didnt know the reigniter was a modification. Thanks for the picture thats what I have without the reigniter. It appears that the po unpluged the ingniter and ground and replaced them with the red wire from the reigniter.

Having googled reigniters they are used to reignite a pilot that has gone out. If the reigniter is dangerous and should be removed how is the pilot relit?

Thanks for the constructive input.