Akwa Ibom State government has described as false a report by Vanguard newspapers alleging that the Governor Udom Emmanuel had at an EXCO retreat asked members who had political ambitions in 2023 to indicate and prepare to resign
A terse statement from the state information commissioner Comrade Ini Ememobong in Uyo on Tuesday described the report as
a ‘tales by moonlight’.
“At no time during the retreat which had as its focus, ‘Teaming for Excellence’, did any discussion on the political ambition of anybody come up. What transpired at the retreat was the delivery of seminal lectures by a highly intellectual faculty and a comprehensive presentation of the status report of all ministries and ongoing projects.
“Furthermore, the Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, who has been quoted massively in the report, has denied granting an interview to anyone, through any medium, after the retreat.” It said.
It expressed dissapointment that such a report would emanate from a credible medium like Vanguardngr.com stating that, “the report is false, misleading and capable of tarnishing the image of the entire Executive Council of Akwa Ibom State, painting them as those who use public resources to create an environment for the discussion of personal or group interest.
“That the Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno has denied granting the said interview and therefore could not have made the statements accredited to him.”
It therefore demanded an immediate retraction of the story and an apology to the State Government and all the individuals mentioned in the report or the audio recording of the interview alleged to have been granted by Eno.
“We urge the public to ignore the story and treat same as an evidence of the imaginative capacity of the author, whose only aim as can be deciphered from the report, is mischief.
“The State Government under the capable leadership of Governor Udom Emmanuel has reiterated her commitment to continually put the interest of the State above every other interest. The retreat was therefore an opportunity to refuel for greater efficiency in the delivery of democracy dividends to our people.” It concluded.
