We are constrained to respond to an epistle by one Sampson Sampson which sought to denigrate the person and office of Mr. Ini Ememobong, the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party.
From the tone and language of the publication, it is clear that the author is Chief Godswill Akpabio. Why Akpabio lacks the courage to own up to the publication speaks volumes about his flawed character. After his defeat at the polls by Engr. Christopher Ekpenyong, outgoing Senator Godswill has been lamenting and blaming everybody but himself. He has attributed his defeat at the polls to a conspiracy by leaders of his Party such as Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Hon Rotimi Amaechi. He has blamed the Akwa Ibom State INEC REC. Mr. Mike Igini and made several baseless and wild allegations.
Expectedly. Mr. Sampson (read Senator Akpabio) claims that Mr. Ememobong came to limelight through Akpabio’s benevolence. Sen. Akpabio and his wife have never stopped boasting that they made everybody in Akwa Ibom State. Akpabio ceaselessly seeks glory and adulation. He competes with the Almighty God for glory, adulation and worship. Anybody who had the honor and privilege to SERVE THE STATE when Akpabio was Governor is always reminded that he came from the gutters.
Akpabio not only plays god; he is loud, lousy and noisy forever seeking attention and validation because of insecurity. Are other Governors like Fashola who served at the same time with Akpabio boasting about their achievements and denigrating those who served in their administrations? Indeed the bottom line is that Akpabio lacks class. We have had other former Governors in this State. Has anybody ever heard former Governor Victor Attah boast about bringing anybody to the limelight just because the person SERVED THE STATE during his tenure ? Has Attah ever boasted that he brought Godswill Akpabio and others who served under him from obscurity to limelight. Attah will never go so low because he is God fearing and has class and proper upbringing. As Governor, Attah treated all those who served the State under him with dignity and respect and always thanked them for their contributions to the development of the State. Out of office, Attah remains a role model and father figure who is loved, respected and honored by all who served the State under him. Can the same be said of Godswill Akpabio? No. Indeed enduring respect and honor is earned by those who are deserving. Akpabio erroneously thought that respect can be bought.
He must have learnt by now that the office of Governor is not permanent and you will not be respected just because you once were a governor who shared State resources to all and sundry to buy respect. People will respect you for your integrity, comportment honor and character. Godswill Akpabio as Governor consistently humiliated and denigrated Attah.
It is shocking that Akpabio will accuse Ememobong of disrespect because as State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, he is only 35. What has age got to do with someone performing the duties of his office? Is this not the same Godswill Akpabio who (with his wife) in 2014 insulted Buhari (a former Head of State and a man old enough to be his father) Did Akpabio not dismiss Buhari as an illiterate and a senile old man? If Akpabio has forgotten or is prepared to lie as is his wont, I can send him copies of the videos now trending on YouTube.
Out of desperation, Akpabio is now trying to play the ethnic card. This is a cheap act of desperation. Akpabio wanted to be the only cock in Annang land and even Akwa Ibom. Accordingly, he destroyed prominent Annang leaders (many of whom were his benefactors) like Atuekong Don Etiebet (lucky to be alive), late Ime Umana. late Albert Ukpana, late Okon Uwah, late Chief Fidelis Etim. Did Akpabio not dim the stars of bright upcoming Annang politicians like Hon. Uwem Udoma, Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, Hon Pat Ineme etc.
The people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District have spoken. They rejected Akpabio because of his boastfulness and flawed character .
Sen. Godswill Akpabio is not indispensable. How does Akpabio failing his election a threat to the unity of the State? How is Mr. Ememobong by simply doing his work as PDP Publicity Secretary a threat to Akpabio and the Annang Nation? Is Akpabio more Annang than Christopher Ekpenyong, Ibok Essien, or even his cousin Prince Ukpong Akpabio- a serving commissioner in Udom Emmanuel’s administration?
As Governor Akpabio’s performance was grossly overrated against the background of the huge revenues of N3 trillion that accrued to the State between 2007 and 2015. His performance as Senator and Minority Leader was similarly mediocre with no record of outstanding leadership. How many bills of national consequence or sIgnificance did Akpabio sponsor in the Senate? His colleagues and constituents (including Emmanuel Enoidem) see Akpabio as a shameless coward and sycophant who can cannot stand the heat and provide leadership when courage is required. If Obong Attah were such a coward how could he have led other distinguished Akwa Ibom sons and leaders like Sen. Udoma Udoma and Sen. Ibok Essien to win the 13 Percent Derivation battle for Akwa Ibom. The difference is that these distinguished leaders whose achievements changed the economic fortunes of Akwa Ibom have carried themselves with humility, decorum and dignity. Attah has not been boasting about his historic and monumental achievement of winning the 13 Percent battle. After Attah won the battle, Akpabio, the eternal opportunist came in to squander and waste the resources .
The truth is that Akpabio was promoted beyond his capacity and competence.
Will anybody in good conscience claim that Akpabio has created more impact in the Senate than a patriot like Senator Ibok Essien who served as Deputy Chief Whip. All those who are shedding crocodile tears because Akpabio lost an election should realize that Akwa Ibom State will thrive with or without Akpabio. There are still many leaders in the mould of Attah, Udoma and Ibok Essien who abound in this State. Nobody should write off the Senator Elect for Akwa Ibom North East -Engr. Christopher Ekpenyong a former Deputy Governor and foundation member of the PDP who cut his business and political teeth at a time Akpabio was still roaming the streets of Lagos. Ekpeyong will do better than Akpabio who lacked real depth and substance and covered his weaknesses by being loud and lousy.
Aniekan Ukpong writes from Abak.
