Group Tackles Akpabio Over Attack On Past Akwa Ibom Leaders

Stakeholders and professionals in Akwa Ibom State are calling on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to offer an apology to former Governor Arc. Obong Victor Attah and other past leaders, citing his recent unwarranted outbursts against them.

The stakeholders, under the aegis of Akwa Ibom Professionals, has informed Akpabio that his plan to forcefully seize control of Akwa Ibom State in 2027 is bound to meet failure

They advised Akpabio to recognize that the people of Akwa Ibom State have already embraced the path of unity, progress, and development under Governor Umo Eno’s leadership.

They emphasized that his self-aggrandizing and divisive tactics would not sway them.

In a meeting with All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders, Akpabio allegedly stated that before his administration took office in 2007, Akwa Ibom State had not witnessed substantial progress or development.

He asserted that he introduced dual carriage roads and other infrastructure to the State for the first time.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the national coordinator of the group, Engr. Ufot Akan Umoren expressed strong disapproval of the Senate President for disparaging and casting doubts on former Governor Victor Attah. Umoren described these actions as an unforgivable assault on the sensibilities of the people of Akwa Ibom State

Umoren also labeled Akpabio’s claim of taking control of Akwa Ibom State in 2027 as a familiar empty boast, pointing out that similar threats made in 2019 amounted to nothing.

The group accused Senator Akpabio of “deploying hate speech, false claims in planting seeds of discord among communities, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups in a bid to overheat the polity and derail the current administration in the State for his anti-people selfish agenda” assuring, however, that “he is out for a failed venture”

The statement reads, “Senator Akpabio 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 alarming that, despite benefiting from Akwa Ibom State, Akpabio is not working concurrently with other leaders to propel the state forward under Governor Umo Eno’s current administration. Instead, he is engaging in unguarded, provocative, and divisive political statements that could lead to 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

Kanyi Daily recalls that prince Ukpong Udo Akpabio had won the Essien Udim State Constituency seat in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.