ADVERTORIAL :
WHO MADE AKPABIO?
We have read Senator Akpabio’s usual vituperation against his successor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel. Akpabio’s statement did not come as a surprise because he, Senator Akpabio is known for trivialities. However, we are compelled to remind Akpabio why he should every remain humble and thankful to the people of Ibibio Nation.
In January 2007, Akpabio emerged as the Governorship flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for Akwa Ibom State through the instrumentality of the likes of Obong Umana Okon Umana, James Akpan Udoedehe and many other Ibibio personalities. But prior to his emergence, the then Governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah, an Ibibio man, had appointed Godswill Akpabio as Commissioner for Petroleum, Commissioner for Lands and Housing and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, for over six years.
Fastracking the journey, Mr. Godswill Akpabio entered the Governorship race with strong financial support from prominent Ibibio sons like former SGF, late Obong Ufot Ekaete, Obong Nsima Ekere, Barr. Dan Abia Snr., Bishop Sam Akpan, Obong Umana Umana who was then Commissioner for Finance while Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe became his campaign manager, among others. However, the likes of Don Etiebet, Late Sen. Bob Ekarika, Senator Ibok Essien and late Sen. Senas Ukpanah were hell-bent to kill Akpabio’s dream of becoming a Governor. It is on record that it was the above-named Ibibio sons and others who took it upon themselves to make Akpabio the Governor. Even the very Akpabio’s family which Godswill Akpabio claims he is from, rejected him on the basis that he was brought into the family by his late mother. We can recall how the Great Akpabio family summoned Godswill Akpabio to show his father’s graveyard if truly he is from the family.
In spite the fact that Ibibio people ensured that Akpabio became Governor of the state, the only reward Godswill Akpabio could give back to Ibibio people was for his administration to open up opportunity for mass killings of Ibibio leaders. His reign was fraught with unprecedented killing, rape and crime against Ibibio ethnic group. Over 300 Ibibio leaders were killed during Akpabio’s era as Governor.
It is also quite sad that since Ibibio people teamed up to bring Akpabio to limelight, Akpabio has left nothing at ensuring that he demeans Ibibio people at every given opportunity. It is very clear that Akpabio is engaging in systematic elimination of Ibibio people from the center. Godswill Akpabio should know that there could not have been Akpabio without Ibibio but there will always be Ibibio without Akpabio. Therefore, Ibibio will always lead while he follows with his people.
Akpabio should stop insulting Udom Emmanuel and other Ibibio personalities because whatever he is today, it was Ibibio people who held his hands in the darkest moment if his life.
To our dear Governor, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, who is busy bandying Akwa Ibom United with Godswill Akpabio, he should know that the same Akpabio who is eating in the same plate with him, will do everything possible to offstage him when the time comes. Also, if truly Akwa Ibom is united as claimed by our Governor why is it that when Akpabio’s supporters attack Umo Eno nobody will talk about it but when an Ibibio person stands to question Akpabio’s supporters’ action such a person will be seen as an enemy of Akwa Ibom unity. The question Umo Eno should answer is, where exactly is he uniting Ibibio people to, is it to destruction? The Governor should know that Akpabio is striving hard to install a man like him as Umo Eno’s successor who would come to continue the destruction of Ibibio people as Akpabio did.
We challenge Godswill Akpabio to point out how he has used his office as the Senate President to assist Ibibio people. The like of Ms. Usoro Akpabio, Managing Director of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), got the job because she was and has always been Akpabio’s “favoured one“.
Since the office of the Senate President has not benefitted the Ibibios, the same office should not be used by Akpabio to talk down on Ibibio people. Since Akpabio also believes no Ibibio person should be allowed to rise politically, he should allow Ibibio people rest. No Ibibio man is struggling anything with him.
We have vowed that even though Ifim Ibom Ibibio, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio and other socio-cultural groups in Ibibio land have chosen to remain quiet, Ibibio Vanguard will stay resolute in exposing Akpabio and his co-traveller.
Enough is enough.
Signed:
Otuekong Bassey Inwang
Chairman, Ibibio Vanguard
Francis Udoh, Esq.
Chairman, Ibibio Vanguard
