A sociopolitical and sociocultural group that projects the interest of Essien Udim people, the Reformation Agenda, has condemned statements purportedly sponsored by Nse Ntuen and the All Progressive Congress (APC).
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Enobong Isidore Akpan, and captioned “RE: DENYING NSE NTUEN CERTIFICATE OF RETURN: MIKE IGINI ACTING UDOM, PDP SCRIPT,” the group said “our attention has been drawn to a piece by one Emmanuel Ufon for and on behalf of a nonexistent and kangaroo group, Akwa Ibom Visionaries Choice for Better Tomorrow Initiative (AKV).”
“We are, to say the least, shocked at the extent known losers at the just concluded Governorship and State House of Assembly elections could go while crying foul. Though the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria allows for freedom of expression and speech, we frown at the brazen lies churned out to the public and disrespect given to the people of Essien Udim, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Udom Emmanuel by these unscrupulous elements and agents of failure.”
“But for the politically targeted reasons and intentions of the writer, the kangaroo group, the All Progressive Congress (APC) and their sponsors, we (the Reformation Agenda) would have ignored the spurious piece and it’s claims with a wave of the hand or probably as stack ignorance on the part of the writer, members of the fake group, particularly it’s National President, Comrade Emmanuel Effiong, and the APC.”
“Asking the Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Barrister Mike Igini, to explain the rationale behind the non-issuance of the Certificate of Return to Hon. Nse Ntuen and the mission of the PDP candidate for Essien Udim State Constituency, Barrister Esse Umoh, at the election petition tribunal is liken to a man living in the fools paradise.”
“We wish to bring to the notice of the public the activities of the APC during the elections and what transpired in Essien Udim. To refresh the memory of the writer and his sponsors, permit us to tell the ordeal that befell the Returning Officer, Mr. Itoro Ekpe. He was reportedly manhandled by Nse Ntuen and his thugs and now receiving treatment in the hospital. The same terror was meted on the Essien Udim PDP Chapter Chairman, Hon Cyril Udoh. Even Hon Sunyiekekere Inokon, Deputy State Chairman of PDP escaped death by the whisker due to unwarranted assault on him by the same group of thugs led by their gang leader and Sponsor respectively, Nse Ntuen and Senator Akpabio.”
“The writer and the sponsors of the piece have also ran short of their memory to remember that the APC hijacked election materials in Ukana East and Adiasim, and this was openly announced by the Electoral Officer. Though he was later put on duress to announce otherwise, the truth cannot be overemphasized. Again, they failed to remember that elections in Afaha, Ukana West-1, Ukana West-2, Ekpenyong-1, Ekpenyong-2, Okon, Odoro Ikot-1, Odoro Ikot-2, and Ikpe Annang were canceled.”
“It is now in the anal of our history that Nse Ntuen manhandled INEC staff at the Collation Centre and forced the Collation Officers to write results in his favour under duress. That he did all that he did, including media attack on the people of Essien Udim, the PDP and Governor Udom Emmanuel, was not a surprise to the people of Akwa Ibom. His uncivil action was not a surprise because he had told the world prior to the elections that his “election is a do or die affair.” So, that INEC refused to issue him a Certificate of Return is not anomaly. It simply shows that he did not win the elections in accordance with the Electoral Law of Nigeria. Little wonder he is developing cold feet that Barrister Esse Umoh, the actual winner of the election in the entire 11wards of the Area, has stepped out to seek redress through the Election Tribunal, which is in line with the constitution. So, Hon. Nse Ntuen, why are you so jittery and afraid of the Election Tribunal?”
“Albeit, the Reformation Agenda condemns in most serious terms the piece linking PDP victory to Mike Igini. The said piece ostensibly orchestrated by the enemies of Essien Udim collective good and development is malicious and the work of already known mischief makers and an attempt to create extreme disaffection and distrust.”
“For these reasons, we (the Reformation Agenda) frowned seriously at the lies told by the writer of the said piece for economic gains, political motives or whatsoever and we see this as an attempt to fan the amber of disunity in Essien Udim. We, therefore, urge the public to disregard the piece. We appeal to journalists to always crosscheck or verify the veracity of their news contents before going to the press to avoid causing rifts between persons, families, people and institutions,” the statement concluded.
