By Odo Ogenyi
At least five persons have joined an Akwa Ibom based activist, Mr Mathew Koffi Okono popularly known as Citizen MKO on a seven day hunger strike to demand for justice from life threatening oppression suffered from people and agents of the state government.
The hunger strike according to Okono followed seven years of affliction and fruitless appeals to Governor Udom Emmanuel and others to intervene in clear cases of oppression and injustices without any form of action.
The Productivity Advocate and Founder of Open Forum Care for Humanity Foundation said that this is even despite assurances but a failed promise of intervention by the Ibibio Patriarch, Ntenyin (Dr) Solomon Etuk, Oku Ibom Ibibio.
“It is not just about me, but a number of vulnerable persons who brought their pathetic cases for intervention by Open Forum. Two of them are dead. One is in critical condition.
“So it was a thing of tears for me when 5 of such persons joined me at the commencement of my hunger strike location which is Wellington Bassey Way by Dominic Utuk Avenue (Entrance to Government House, and Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat, Uyo).
“My life and business have been destroyed under this administration due to activities of some unscrupulous prrsons in the system. I am only asking for justice before the exit of His Excellency on May 29, 2023.
“I appeal to people and organizations of goodwill to intervene by calling on the Gov Udom Emmanuel to look into my cases to save me, my family and others from endless trauma. I just want my life back.” Okono said in a statement.
Some of his claims include payment of his outstanding claims by Nsit Atai Local Council where he served as Transition Committee Secretary and Supervisor for Education (2016 – 2017) and withdrawal of case from the EFCC and compensation over the loss of his vehicle and research works during the July 14, 2018 Ibedu mayhem and investigation of further threat to his life and possible reconciliation with key political actors in Nsit Atai LGA for peaceful coexistence.
Others include investigation, regularization and resolution of his contract with Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation (AKICORP) which Okono claimed has thrown him into huge debt and intervention in a N10m defamation case instituted by Dr. Elijah Akpan, Executive Chairman of AKICORP against him and a N150m counter Suit by Okono.
He also called for a resolution of issues surrounding the November 2019 instruction to Citizen Okono to withdraw his Suit against the Akwa Ibom state government for an out-of-court settlement by the Oku Ibom Ibibio.
The Activist claimed that he is currently having issues with his lawyer over non payment of legal fees having made undertaking in writing in honour of Oku Ibom Ibibio’s royal instructions and therefore appealed for intervention on humanitarian grounds to the Governor and Oku Ibom Ibibio.
“I wish to add that above issues can be resolved within days and necessary actions taken to offset whatever financial entitlements and security/safety concerns before the end of the tenure of the Governor.” He said.
