July 14, (THEWILL) – Kinsmen of the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has cautioned the Senate President of the Federal Republic, Chief Godswill Akpabio, over what they described as deliberate and unconscionable falsehood and twisting of facts about his performance in office as governor of the state.
The kinsmen, under the auspices of Onna Unity Forum, registered their grievances in a press statement endorsed by Efiok Bassey and Edet Edet, Chairman and Secretary of the forum respectively, and made available to journalists in Uyo on Saturday.
The statement entitled: “Stop Spreading Falsehood and Misinformation against Mr Udom Emmanuel’ read in parts, “We are deeply disturbed by the deliberate and unconscionable falsehood and the twisting of facts by Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Nigerian 10th Senate against the person of the immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Excellency, Mr Udom Emmanuel, CON.
“While we are reluctant to join issues with Akpabio in his unguarded vituperations and claims that though he made Udom Emmanuel Governor, but he did nothing during his eight-year tenure in the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District (Senator Akpabio’s senatorial district), we feel a sense of obligation to set the records straight as unchallenged falsehood could be misconstrued as truth by those with limited knowledge.
“We are however, tempted to apologise to Nigerians for the several goofs of the Senate President, including this infantile attempt to unmindfully tarbrush and bring to opprobrium Mr Emmanuel, who had exited office over a year ago at the expiration of his 8 years tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom state.
“On Akpabio’s claim that Udom Emmanuel administration did nothing in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district that he Akpabio is representing in the senate, It is essential to address these baseless falsehoods and highlight the tangible developments and achievements of Governor Emmanuel’s administration in that Senatorial district.
“How could Senator Akpabio have forgotten that Governor Emmanuel completed the 27km Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Road project which was commissioned by the President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan? The fact remains that this road was abandoned at less than 20% completion by Akpabio’s administration despite a reported full release of over N74 billion contract sum for the project.
“It is unfortunate that Senator Akpabio has also forgotten that, despite his premature commissioning of an uncompleted structure as Sheraton by Four Points Hotel after over 25 Billion was said to have been expended before 2015, it was Governor Emmanuel who ensured that the structure was completed and made functional and functional as a Hotel. Today, it stands as a testament to his commitment to infrastructural development, often being used for significant events, including those hosted by Senator Akpabio himself.
“It is also a verifiable fact, that at least 3 General Hospitals in Ikono, Ikot Ekpene and Oruk anam were completely reconstructed and equipped all in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district by Governor Emmanuel.
“Additionally, Udom administration initiated and constructed a 14.1km Odorikpe-Ikpe ikot Nkon- Obotmme -Arochukwu road in Ini local government area; a 6.4km Nto Edino-EkwereAzu with 2 no. Bridges in Obot AkaraLGA, a 23km Ikot Ekaide-Ikot Okoro- Ikot Ibritam road in Oruk Anam LGA; an 18.95km Ikot Ibritam-Ekeffe- Ikot Akpan Afaha road with a bridge in Oruk Anam; construction of 2.6km Urban roads in Abak LGA.
Others include the construction of a 4.6km School of Arts and Science Road, Nung Ukim, Ikono Local Government, a 5.1km internal road in Akwa Ibom State University campus in Obio Akpa, Orukanam, a 15.13km Ikot Esu- Otomo- Azumini road in Ika LGA; an 18.97km Abak 10 – Nko-Otoro- Manta road, in Abak and the construction and building of Model Girls Science School in Abak among others.
“We are constrained to hold that it appears, the Senate President may have lost touch with development in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial district since he is mostly concentrating on politics at the National level.
“It is crucial to acknowledge that no individual can singularly take credit for making Udom Emmanuel Governor. It was through the collective will of the people of Akwa Ibom State, and ultimately, divine providence, that Udom Emmanuel was elected. Senator Akpabio played a role as a vessel in this process, but it is God who ordains leaders.
“As responsible members of the public, we are cognisant of Mr Udom Emmanuel’s steadfast commitment to maintaining his dignity amidst unwarranted attacks from Senator Akpabio. Mr Emmanuel’s exemplary display of discipline and tolerance, hallmarks of his governance from 2015 to 2023, stands in stark contrast to Senator Akpabio’s divisive rhetoric.
“It is regrettable that Senator Akpabio, who has the potential of being a unifying figure for our nation, has instead chosen to engage in baseless criticism against a man who
has maintained his dignity in the face of continuous attacks. At a national platform where unity and development should be prioritised, Senator Akpabio’s actions seem misplaced and counterproductive.
“Should he choose to wield his authority judiciously, Senator Akpabio could significantly contribute to our nation’s unity and economic prosperity. Nigerians are poised to judge him not by his verbal assaults on a fellow statesman, but by the tangible impacts he can make during his tenure”.
Aligning with the position of Coalition for Parliamentary Democracy the group called on Akpabio to learn from former occupants of the exalted office of the Senate President, to serve the Akwa Ibom and Nigeria better.
