APC’s 2027 attempt to seize control of Akwa Ibom would be futile, stakeholders tell Akpabio

January 22, 2024 Wale Ponnle

A group of state stakeholders and professionals known as the Akwa Ibom Professionals have called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to retract his remarks criticizing former Governor Obong Victor Attah and other previous leaders.

In a statement released in Abuja on Sunday, the group’s national coordinator, Engr. Ufot Akan Umoren, further charged that he was using divisive tactics to try to topple the existing government and advance his political goals.

Former governor Akpabio has recently faced criticism for his assertion that Akwa Ibom had not seen any significant progress before his administration in 2007. In addition, he took pride in building other infrastructure, like dual carriageways, as if these were ground-breaking accomplishments in the state’s history.

The statement reads, “Senator Akpabio’s actions and utterances give him away as a wholesomely self-conceited human being. He has crossed the lines by disparaging the personality and performance in office of the architect of the modern Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Obong Victor Attah, and even the pioneer indigenous governor of the State, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga.

“His unfounded claim that Akwa Ibom State never experienced real development until when he (Akpabio) became the governor in 2007 is absurd and an unacceptable spurning of the legacy and groundbreaking achievements of Obong Victor Attah and other leaders which the state continues to enjoy even for generations to come.

“It is on record that the foundation and masterplan for the development of Akwa Ibom State originated from Obong Victor Attah’s administration. All projects Senator Akpabio can boast of as governor of Akwa Ibom are all rooted in the Attah administration.

“Governor Attah initiated, conceptualized and commenced execution of major landmark projects including the Ibom Airport, major highways, dualization projects, gas processing projects, the Ibom Icon and Golf Course and array of legacy projects which continues to serve the people of Akwa Ibom State for generations to come.

“Above all, the fight for the derivative funding, which the State is enjoying today, was spearheaded by Obong Victor Attah.

“Senator Akpabio served under Governor Attah’s government as a commissioner for six years. Who was he before Governor Attah picked him and allowed him the opportunities he leveraged on to become a governor? Akpabio is a wholesome example of the proverbial destitute child that bites the fingers that fed him.

“It is appalling that after benefitting from Akwa Ibom State, instead of joining hands with other leaders to move the State to the next level under the current administration of Governor Umo Eno, Akpabio is rather going about and making unguarded, inciting and divisive political statements that have the capacity to cause crisis and destabilize the State.

“We challenge Senator Akpabio to point to any achievement he made as Senate Minority Leader for four years; as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs for four years and now Senate President. He should mention one idea he had ever contributed to help the Economy of our nation, Nigeria. Of course, he has nothing to point to.

“We counsel Senator Akpabio to retrace his steps by tendering an unreserved apology to Obong Victor Attah, other leaders, the government and people of Akwa Ibom State as we will not hesitate to resist further attempts to divide the state with ethnic seeds of discord.

“Akpabio should also respect the Will of the people as symbolized in the election of Governor Eno, concentrate on his duties in Abuja as Senate President, and stop huffing around Akwa Ibom State,” the group stated.

Author

Wale Ponnle

A passionate writer of everything politics in Nigeria with the goal and purpose of bringing authentic information and unbiased news to everyone everywhere.

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