Why Akpabio Is Unhappy With Akwa Ibom Governor

A former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, has expressed his displease with the state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for attending a summer convention in the United States organised by Akwa Ibom Indigenes abroad.

A former aide of Akpabio, speaking to correspondent in Uyo, on Tuesday, said the former governor had advised Emmanuel not to embark on the journey because the trip was unnecessary, considering the cost it involved.

The aide who pleaded anontmity disclosed that Akpabio had asked Emmanuel to avoid spending money on things that would not generate revenue for the state, but should focus on attracting investors into the state.

According to him, since Emmanuel took over from Akpabio as governor 66 days ago, the state has not witnessed any significant progress. He revealed that Emmanuel left Akwa Ibom with a delegation of over 60 persons. They would spend two weeks in the US. He added that Akpabio considered the trip unnecessary. He said it would not add value to Akwa Ibom people at home.

However, Mr. Inibehe Effiong, the convener of Coalition of Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) Akwa Ibom State chapter, had accused that Governor Emmanuel learnt his lavish ways from Akpabio. He said Emmanuel was recently spotted at the Ibom International Airport on a chartered jet.

“I can tell you, Emmanuel is very wasteful. The other day, he was seen at the Ibom International Airport on a chartered flight. Why has the governor chosen to go on a chartered flight when the economy of the country is wobbling? This does not make sense.”

“He (Emmanuel) learnt his wasteful attitude from his master, Senator Godswill Akpabio. The trip is a way of siphoning money from the state; it is purely based on self-interest. We hope the whole thing will soon be over. We don’t have a governor yet,” he said.

Moreover, in a counter-response, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Ekerette Udoh, who is also in the US, said Emmanuel was not only the governor of those that reside in Akwa Ibom State but a governor of the Akwa Ibom people, irrespective of where they live.

“The Akwa Ibom State governor is the governor of all Akwa Ibom people wherever they may be in the world. He has a right to tell them his programmes for the state. The summer convention is a very important occasion. Emmanuel is there to attract investors to the state. Many other governors in the Nigeria are also in the United States for the same reason,” Udoh said.