… We Are Satisfied With The Public Outing Of Engr. Etido Inyang – YSC
… He Is A Traitor, The Rejoinder Is An Act Of Desperation – IKEPEC
Barely 24 hours after a petition calling for the non-consideration of former Commissioner for Special Duties, Engr. Etido Inyang, was sent to Governor Udom Emmanuel by Ikot Ekpene People’s Coalition (IKEPEC), a reprisal by a pro-Etido Inyang’s group, Youths Support Coalition (YSC) has been made.
The press statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the group, Ifiok Okure and Paulnus Okure, decribed the petition by IKEPEC as “Plotted lies Against Engr. Etido Inyang to flood media space.”
“It has come to the notice of the generality of Ikot Ekpene people that a single individual in our Local Government Area has suddenly changed his name to “Ikot Ekpene People’s Coalition [IKEPEC]” in order to promote his self-centred and narrow interest, against the collective interest of Ikot Ekpene. We are aware that “IKEPEC,” a ghost group has written a supposedly “open letter” to our dear governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, titled: “Engr. Etido Inyang Must Not Be Returned As Commissioner”. This hatchet job which has already been sent to media houses and paid for, (print and online) was leaked by the man-Friday of the sponsor who has chosen to subordinate the petty interest of an individual for the collective concerns of Ikot Ekpene. We commend our brother for raising the alarm and for exhibiting good conscience,” the statement maintained.
On the claim by IKEPEC that the former Commissioner “has not touched any life; bought no car or motorcycle for anybody,” YSC said “It is laughable reading through such a claim. It is equally pathetic knowing what constitutes empowerment for this one-man ‘Coalition’. As indigenes of Ikot Ekpene, we can attest that innumerable sons and daughters of the Local Government Area are direct beneficiaries of the educational scholarships of Engr. Etido Inyang. These stages of scholarships benefit those studying in Nigeria and abroad and cut across undergraduate and post-graduate levels. This is a fact. Recently, during the commissioning of a house built by the governor’s wife for a widow in Ikot Ekpene, Engr. Inyang quietly, adopted one of the widow’s daughter and promised not only to sponsor her O’Level examination but also her tertiary education to graduation. That he does not go around with cameras to capture his humanitarian and compassionate gestures to impress the public is no reason to tell lies against him.”
“We can also attest that Engr. Etido Inyang has created openings for many Ikot Ekpene indigenes and Akwa Ibom people in general to gain meaningful employment in establishments both within and outside the state. Such gainful employments have enabled these people to buy cars of their choice, own property and live respectably. His patterns of empowerment ensure such beneficiaries become self-sufficient and do not depend on public officials for survival. Quietly too, Engr. Inyang has offered good cars to others but he would not act indecently and disrespectful to the dignity of humanity by calling out names of beneficiaries. We are members of the Peoples Democratic Party and we are the overwhelming majority. Ikot Ekpene, as a result of the honest leadership of and sincere efforts by Engr. Etido has achieved great and remarkable unity and we are consolidating on that for easy success in future elections. We maintain that Engr. Inyang is a huge political asset and of staggering electoral value. A simple opinion poll will only affirm this,” the group stressed.
The statemen concluded by saying “The failed attempt in the “open letter” to robe Engr. Inyang in acts of financial misconduct when he served as Special Adviser is not new; it has always failed and will continue to fail. There are agencies for financial crimes. The sensible thing one would have expected is for his accuser(s) to forward proofs to any or all of such agencies. We urge our governor not to be distracted by the antics of anti-progressive elements. We are satisfied with the public outing of Engr. Etido Inyang so far, and we believe in him.”
In a swift reaction, the Chairman of IKEPEC, Barrister Usoroh Usoroh, in a telephone conversation, said “if Engr. Etido Inyang is saying that we are inexistence and that our petition does not convey the request by the generality of Ikot Ekpene people, why is he worried? Why did he hurriedly convene a meeting with family members and few of his supporters in his residence at Etokebe Street, where he assured them that our petition to the Governor will not affect his retention as Commissioner in the new Exco formation by Governor Udom Emmanuel?”
“You are a journalist, so do our findings. In that meeting, we are aware that he told them in confidence that by his contribution of N500million to Governor Udom Emmanuel during the buildup to the 2015 Governorship election, he is indispensable. We also have it on good authority that he boasted that he did not only supervised the construction of the Ewet Housing Estate residence of Governor Udom Emmanuel, that he built it with his money and donated the building o the Governor as part of his contributions to him for smooth takeoff as Executive Governor,” Barrister Usoroh stressed.
The IKEPEC Chairman also claimed that “the former Commissioner urged his supporters to remain calm as the advertorial will be refuted and that he has spoken with Governor Udom, who assured him of his inclusion in the new Exco list.”
To support the stance of the IKEPEC’s Chairman, a source who identified himself as Owoidoho, said “The Transition Chairman of Ikot Ekpene, Mr. David Umana, told me that he was seriously disturbed by the estranged relationship between him (Etido Inyang) and the Akpabio’s family. He said he was sure Senator Godswill Akpabio and his family will not have a hand in the composition of the new Exco. He equally said that celebration at the Shelter Afrique residence of Sir Emem Akpabio over the dissolution of the Exco and his (Etido Inyang) being sacked will be counterproductive.”
Barrister Usoroh further said “let me tell you, in case you did not know, the rejoinder to our petition by Etido Inyang is an act of desperation as the said Ifiok Okure is one of his Personal Assistants and the said Paulinus Okure is the junior brother to Ifiok Okure, also known as T-Brown. Ifiok Okure contested elections and failed as a Councilor and it was by much persuasion and pressure that Etido Inyang took him as his local PA in Ikot Ekpene. So, signing of the fake press statement has further confirmed that Etido Inyang lack people and the rejection by the Ikot Ekpene people.”
“The failure of the said group to defend or speak about his scandalous involvement in Ibom Airport and Ibom Tropicana projects means admittance on the part of the former Commissioner,” he concluded.
