By ogenyi ogenyi,uyo
A socio cultural organization, onna unity forum has expressed displeasure over recent utterances credited to senate president, godswill akpabio accusing a former governor of akwa ibom, udom emmanuel for non performance.
It would be recalled that akpabio had last week was credited to have said that the ex governor did nothing during his eight-year tenure in the ikot ekpene senatorial district (senator akpabio’s senatorial district),
A statement from the group, endorsed by the chairman, efiok bassey and made available to newsmen in uyo at the weekend said it felt, “Deeply disturbed by the deliberate and unconscionable falsehood and the twisting of facts by senator godswill akpabio, the president of the nigerian 10th senate against the person of mr udom emmanuel.
“While we are reluctant to join issues with akpabio in his unguarded vituperations and claims, we feel a sense of obligation to set the records straight as unchallenged falsehood could be misconstrued as truth by those with limited knowledge.
“We are however, tempted to apologise to nigerians for the several goofs of the senate president, including this infantile attempt to unmindfully tarbrush and bring to opprobrium mr. Emmanuel, who had exited office over a year ago at the expiration of his eight years tenure as governor of akwa ibom state.
“On akpabio’s claim that udom emmanuel administration did nothing in ikot ekpene senatorial district that he akpabio is representing in the senate, it is essential to address these baseless falsehood and highlight the tangible developments and achievements of governor emmanuel’s administration in that senatorial district.
“How could senator akpabio have forgotten that governor emmanuel completed the 27km uyo-ikot ekpene road project which was commissioned by the president of the 9th senate, senator ahmed lawan. The fact remains that this road was abandoned at less than 20% completion by akpabio’s administration despite a reported full release of over n74 billion contract sum for the project.
“It is unfortunate that senator akpabio has also forgotten that, despite his premature commissioning of an uncompleted structure as sheraton by four points hotel after over 25 billion was said to have been expended before 2015, it was governor emmanuel who ensured that the structure was completed and made functional and functional as a hotel. Today, it stands as a testament to his commitment to infrastructural development, often being used for significant events, including those hosted by senator akpabio himself.”
Other major projects executed by emmanuel in the area also included the three general hospitals in ikono, ikot ekpene and oruk anam, the 14.1km odorikpe-ikpe ikot nkon- obotmme -arochukwu road in ini council, a 6.4km nto edino-ekwereazu with 2 no. Bridges in obot akaralga, a 23km ikot ekaide-ikot okoro- ikot ibritam road in oruk anam lga; a 18.95km ikot ibritam-ekeffe- ikot akpan afaha road with a bridge in oruk anam; construction of 2.6km urban roads in abak lga.
In addition he facilitated the construction of a 4.6km school of arts and science road, nung ukim, ikono local government, a 5.1km internal roads in akwa ibom state university campus in obio akpa, orukanam, a 15.13km ikot esu- otomo- azumini road in ika lga; a 18.97km abak 10 – nko-otoro- manta road, in abak and the construction and building of model girls science school in abak among others.
“We are constrained to hold that it appears, the senate president may have lost touch with development in akwa ibom north west senatorial district since he is mostly concentrating in politics at the national level.
“It is crucial to acknowledge that no individual can singularly take credit for making udom emmanuel governor. It was through the collective will of the people of akwa ibom state, and ultimately, divine providence, that udom emmanuel was elected. Senator akpabio played a role as a vessel in this process, but it is god who ordains leaders.
“As responsible members of the public, we are cognizant of mr. Udom emmanuel’s steadfast commitment to maintaining his dignity amidst unwarranted attacks from senator akpabio. Mr. Emmanuel’s exemplary display of discipline and tolerance, hallmarks of his governance from 2015 to 2023, stands in stark contrast to senator akpabio’s divisive rhetoric.
“It is regrettable that senator akpabio, who has the potential of being a unifying figure for our nation, has instead chosen to engage in baseless criticism against a man who
Has maintained his dignity in the face of continuous attacks. At a national platform where unity and development should be prioritized, senator akpabio’s actions seem misplaced and counterproductive.
“We therefore align with the position of coalition for parliamentary democracy that senator akpabio should seek tutorial lessons from the former occupants of the exalted office of the senate president and stop using the position to engage in mundane personal fuss with perceived political enemies.” it said
