By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
The Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals, have differed with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio over his recent comments that the immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom, Mr. Udom Emmanuel did nothing tangible I. His tenure as governor.
A press statement signed by it’s Director of Public and Strategic Communication, Joseph Ekong and made available to newsmen in Uyo yesterday, the association stated that they would have ignored such news as mere rumours if they were not backed with the video evidence.
“As patriots from Akwa Ibom State, we had sworn not to join issues with our son who is Senate President on issues like this, and we fervently pray that he dares not push us to the point where we will have to bring documents that will tell his story better to the whole world.
“To start with, the allegation by the Senate President was an unguarded and illogical response to an honest contribution that Senator Ekong Sampson had made for the inclusion of Akwa Ibom in a bill which sought to establish new federal medical centers in the country.
“The Senate president’s response to this was that Udom Emmanuel his successor in office, left no imprint in his Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District and even in Eket Senatorial District. What a sad commentary.”
The association further said that, “under the uncommon transformation era of Akpabio as Governor, Eket Senatorial District never knew roads infrastructure beyond ground breaking stage, irrespective of being the contributor of 40% of revenue into the coffers of the federation account, the only road access roads to the senatorial district, Uyo – Etinan – Eket Road, did not move beyond the groundbreaking stage.
“The only bridge in the entire Eket Senatorial District, 1.15km Afi Uko Ntighe Bridge in Mbo was abandoned at 10 percent piling stage. It was a story of uncommon neglect and abandonment. Our people only saw your uncommon transformation on television and billboards.”
The association however called on the Senate President to sheat his sword and work towards promoting peace and prosperity in the state inspite of having different political affiliation with the government of the day in the area and the country at large.
“As his kinsmen, we are compelled to advise that he should rather sheath sword and use his good office wisely; knowing that Nigerians will not judge him by how many times he manufactured lies against his brother, but by how he used his opportunity to add value to the country’s unity and economic wellbeing.”
