Afrigather I’ve seen the screenshot of the textual content messages that went between Senator Akpabio and the late Ufot Ebong through which Ebong, in his sick mattress at Ibom Speciality Hospital, Uyo, acknowledged receipt of $35,000 from the Senate President. The cash was meant to help him in in search of medical care abroad, however, sadly, Ebong handed away earlier than he might be flown overseas. Ebong had served within the Akpabio and Udom Emmanuel administrations.
My condolences to the Ebong household and my commendations to the Senate President for his traditional kindness. It’s possible you’ll not like Akpabio for no matter causes, however his generosity to his pals and kins is famous. Ebong was his childhood pal. Round 1984, Ebong lived subsequent door to my elder brother in Calabar, someplace near the airport, and that’s after I knew Ebong.
Throughout holidays (I used to be a scholar at UNN then), a part of which I spent with my brother, I might go over to Ebong’s condo, the place we spent hours enjoying scrabble. Akpabio, then a legislation scholar at UNICAL and an avid scrabble participant, was all the time there. Ebong was jovial, witty, and easy-going. I reminded Ebong of these jolly days after I final spoke with him early this 12 months, and we laughed over it. I’m saddened by his demise.
I’m additionally disturbed by the unnecessary controversy surrounding Senator Akpabio’s $35,000 reward to Ebong. Whereas some folks declare that the cash got here too late, others blame Akpabio for releasing the screenshot of their chats through which Ebong thanked Akpabio for his assist for the aim of self-promotion. This controversy shouldn’t be crucial. Akpabio is a giver, and he additionally likes to be appreciated for it. It’s his nature. I do know of some different situations through which the Senate President has prolonged assist to our brothers and sisters of their dire occasions of want. It’s in his character, and for that, I commend him.
I’m additionally conscious that Gov. Umo Eno met with the PDP stakeholders from Essien Udim LGA yesterday (Wednesday, October 9) at Authorities Home. The Essien Udim delegation was led by the 106-year-old Chief Afangide. Different PDP leaders from different LGAs had been additionally current. The principle thrust of the assembly was the Saturday council elections and the controversy that adopted the victory of the APC candidate in that LGA.
The governor, I perceive, appealed to the PDP members from Essien Udim to recover from their ache and settle for the loss as a part of the political course of. He gave them assurances and hope {that a} lack of an area authorities was not able to destabilising the social gathering and promised to make it as much as them in a number of methods. ‘’We are able to reside collectively and work with our new chairman in peace and concord’’, he reportedly informed the delegation.
The governor did properly in assembly with the Essien Udim stakeholders who’ve been grieving over the loss. I nonetheless insist that it was very good of the governor to permit the APC victory in Essien Udim. In Ika LGA, from the place Minister Ekperikpe Ekpo hails, the APC additionally gained one or two councillor seats.
The place of the Senate President is of immense strategic and political significance, and we’re blessed that one among us is on the seat. Regardless of our political variations, Akwa Ibom folks and the state authorities have a duty to rally round Senator Akpabio and provides him the political and ethical homefront help. The South West area of APC met over the weekend in Lagos and voted to unanimously help President Tinubu within the face of mounting criticisms over his financial insurance policies. For a similar purpose, Akwa Ibom ought to come collectively and help their very own.
On the identical time, Senator Akpabio is anticipated to reciprocate the governor’s good nature and the heat of the folks and convey residence democracy dividends. I’ve written about and thanked Senator Akpabio for the forthcoming South-South Growth Fee, which needs to be headquartered in Uyo. We want extra. What can the Senate President do to actualise Ibom Deep Sea Port? What of all of the dilapidated federal roads main into the state? What of the request for a brand new military battalion to be sited in Oron that the governor offered to the army authorities in August? Can our Senate President assist right here?
On a private degree, a lot can also be anticipated from the Senate President. He ought to settle his political variations with many APC leaders within the state. Gov. Umo Eno has proven that it’s doable and useful to transcend partisan variations and reside in peace and mutual respect with each other. Equally, I beseech Senator Akpabio to achieve out to Umana Umana, Atuekong Etiebet, Nsima Ekere, Senator John Akpan Udoedehe, Group Captain Sam Enwang (rtd), and a bunch of others and make peace with them. It doesn’t converse properly of him to have so many individuals—most of them Ibibio leaders—as foes. It doesn’t converse properly of him to be receiving heat and respect from the governor and the folks of the state, and but he doesn’t appear to be able to extending such to others. Our Lord Jesus Christ preached in opposition to it. Might this final quarter of the 12 months deliver us peace, pleasure, and concord.
