By Gabriel EFO
Nollywood actor, Ime Bishop Umoh, popularly known as Okon Lagos, has been censured by social media users after he released two conflicting videos at the weekend.
Earlier, Umoh, who is the Special Assistant on Ethical and Social Reorientation to Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state, was seen in a video that surfaced on social media campaigning for the state All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Nsima Ekere.
Later, Umoh was seen in another video insisting that his loyalty lies with the state governor. He claimed that the previous video was fabricated by the APC.
In the previous video, the Nollywood star cum governor’s aide, who spoke in English and Ibibio, was indubitably seen urging the people to vote for Ekere in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
“Go out and vote for Nsima Ekere to become governor of Akwa Ibom state. Vote for Nsima Ekere, please,” Umoh said.
But in an obvious attempt to save his job with the state government, Umoh, late Saturday, released another video where he tried to denigrate the APC.
Speaking in English and Ibibio, Okon Lagos claimed that no amount of intimidation and coercion would make him defect to the APC.
Umoh said “This is the height of desperation. These guys are so desperate. Is this how desperate you can get? So you want to use Okon to win election? I thought you claimed that you have already won the elections? I am saying it again for the umpteenth time, I am with Udom.
“There is no amount of black magic that will change my stand with Governor Udom. I was with Udom; I am with Udom and I will always be with Udom. You can take that to the bank. Woe to the broom carriers! Woe to witches!,” he added.
Meanwhile, disappointed social media users believe that Umoh is speaking from two sides of the mouth to gain financial favours from both camps.
Samuel Udoma said “Ime Bishop Umoh, aka #OkonLagos should bury his face in shame. What a politically inconsistent clown is this? It seems Okon Lagos does not know the difference btwn acting and politics. He should be shown the way out so he learns.’
Etiufan Akpan had this to say; “I just watched the other video where he said this one was fabricated, like how possible? That’s Okon Lagos right there, in both videos. People like him who think they are smart players usually end up losing at both ways.”
Another social media user, Otobong Akpabio, wondered “So is okon Lagos gonna make any of them win this election? Don’t u think it’s rather inconsequential?”
Yutie David said “I hardly talk about politics, but believe me, This is NOT photoshop editing or whatever.”
Anthony Edet believes that ‘Okon Lagos is doing his own business like every other businessman or woman in Nigeria. This is funny, though.”
“The heart of Okon Lagos is with Nsima Ekere while the body is with Udom Emmanuel. If you go to Ekere’s residence, you will see him waiting to see Oga or talking to Oga,” an insider in APC confided in our source.
In addition, Clement Ikpatt, a staunch APC member in his Whatapps message wrote “Ime Bishop (Okon Calabar) voluntarily went to the Obong Nsima Ekere camp in order to discus and plan his defection from the PDP. Also, he (Ime Bishop) promised to resign his appointment as Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel as early as tomorrow, Monday, February 04, 2019. He was welcomed into the APC movement and handsomely appreciated.
“Ime Bishop also solicited money to do a series of campaign adverts for Obong Nsima Ekere’s Campaign Organization. As professional fee, he was given a huge amount of money for the recordings.
“It is unconscionable and dishonorable for Ime Bishop to turn around and deny his planned defection to the APC and resignation, seeing that his story had been made viral on social media. He has demonstrated that he is nothing but an irresponsible person and a scum of the earth.’”
Ikpatt lamented that “Ime Bishop’s action is not the first time that an Udom Emmanuel aide lies and extorts money from an APC leader. Sensing Udom Emmanuel’s looming defeat at the polls and afraid of losing political relevance in Obong Nsima Ekere’s incoming government, desperate aides are secretly negotiating their exit from the PDP and some of them have resorted to racketeering and other criminal bents.
“An apple does not fall far from the tree. Like Udom Emmanuel, like most of his aides: they are recklessly throwing caution to the wind. Notoriously, they indulge scam projects, official corruption and lie with impunity. A few aides who have any measure of integrity are either sidelined or made targets of politically motivated violence.”(Source: Straightnews).
