Secret Reporters No place to hide
Secret Reporters
Nigerian politics is filled with intrigues. In Akwa Ibom State maligning and political godfatherism has been the order of the day, especially when the purpoted godson begins to rebel. Or when the sycophantic followers refuse to dance no more to the tune played by their power drunk leaders. The attention of Secret Reporters has been drawn to a publication by an Akwa Ibom State newspaper called the Annang Peoples Front.
A press release signed by Etim Johnson and sent to Secret Reporters by Akwa Ibom Unity forum has it on good authority that the publication was sponsored by Sen. Godswill Akpabio to malign and ridicule His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel and former Military Administrator, Idongesit Nkanga.
The publication falsely claimed that Governor Udom Emmanuel is planning to cause tribal crisis in the State. The publication also falsely claimed that Governor Emmanuel sponsored Sen. Anietie Okon and Chief Assam Assam to attack Sen. Godswill Akpabio.
“Senator Godswill Akpabio has persisted in his subterfuge and continues to incite the people of the State against Governor Emmanuel.
Governor Emmanuel who is the leader of PDP has shown unbelievable restraint and humility in the face of unending provocations and insults, and this should not be taken as a sign of weakness.
As Governor Udom Emmanuel rightly pointed out (when he issued the warning to Akpabio and others who are out to destabilize his Administration) the State has been peaceful compared to the Akpabio era when State sponsored kidnappings and assassinations were rife. Prominent leaders who opposed Akpabio from Ibibio, Oro and Annang (especially Abak 5) were either abducted or murdered or both. The list is endless. Those who were abducted for political reasons during the era of Goodwill Akpabio include Gen. Edet Akpan Rtd., Mrs Comfort Enwang, wife of Group Cpt. Sam Enwang Rtd., Engr. Iniekong Udonwa who was a governorship aspirant etc.
Cases of those killed in cold blood including HRM Robert James Obot (Ibibio), Barr. Imo Udonwa (Ibibio), Miss Aniefon Aniediabasi, (Ibibio) Engr. Emmanuel Ekpenyong (Submarine) (Ibibio), Mr Mathias Ekpenyong (Ibibio), Barr. Benjamin Udoekpo (Ibibio), Two women at Qua Iboe Church, Iwok (Ibibio), Dr Austin Edet (Ibibio), Obong Paul Inyang (Ibibio), Daughter of Paramount Ruler Abak (Annang Abak 5), Mrs. Marie Ikpe (Ibibio), Ezekiel Peter Ebere (Episco) (Anang), Dr. Chris Ekong, accused of killing the Ekpenyong brothers. (Record shows he was in South Africa when the murder took place) (Ibibio) Rev. Ntia I Ntia (Ibibio) Apostle Ime Iyire (Ibibio), Mrs Philomena Udonwa (Ibibio), Anthony Akpanobong (Ibibio), Mr Daniel John Ekanem- (Ibibio) Asuquo Onyong (Oro), Chief Efiong Ononokpono (who was arrested for criticizing Akpabio and died immediately he was released from detention, (Oro), Dr. Ime Umana (Annang Abak 5) (arrested, prosecuted and killed by auto crash for opposing Akpabio), former deputy speaker AKHA Rt. Hon Okon Uwah (Annang Abak 5), Chief Albert Ukpanah (Annang Abak 5), Mrs Udonwa (Ibibio), Mrs Grace Awana who died from shock after her premature retirement as Head of Civil Service (Oro). Another prominent son of Abak 5 , Chief Soni Udom narrowly escaped assassination.
The hypocrisy of the Annang Patriotic Front who never asked questions when prominent Annang sons like Dr. Ime Umana, Albert Ukpanah and Rt. Hon. Okon Uwah were killed for opposing former Governor Godswill Akpabio, is ridiculous.
It has not been forgotten how an eminent son of Abak 5 Atuekong Don Etiebet was persecuted and humiliated by Godswill Akpabio. The pains and the wounds of the Akpabio era are still very fresh. Godswill Akpabio should let sleeping dogs lie. Governance is not only about the uncompleted projects Godswill Akpabio falsely claimed he had completed.
Governance is also about peace and security. We commend Gov. Emmanuel for maintaining peace and security in Akwa Ibom State. We urge him to deal decisively with anybody no matter how highly placed who wants to sponsor insecurity in the State.” the group stated.
