Some Akwa Ibom septuagenarians expected to play mediating role in the Nigeria’s murky political waters have lent their voices in declaring war for the re-election of Governor Udom Emmanuel in 2019.
Beating the war drums at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo during the declaration of Governor Emmanuel for a second term in office on Friday, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, retd, the former military administrator of Akwa Ibom State, and Senator Anietie Okon, a one-time National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, invoked war-like situation for the re-election of the governor.
Recall that Akpabio had a few days ago, while speaking in Aguobu-Owa, Ezeagu local government area of Enugu State, insinuated that the governorship election in Akwa Ibom would be war, making reference to the Hitler invasion of Poland and that if it meant using war to capture the state for the APC, he was prepared to do so in a similar manner German Junta Adolf Hitler invaded Warsaw, Poland in 1940.
In a rage of anger, Senator Okon declared “Those who want to invade Akwa Ibom like Hitler should remember that till today, nobody knows where Hitler’s bones are. Uyo Senatorial District has declared war on anybody who may want to invade Akwa Ibom State.”
In venting anger too, Otuekong Nkanga posited “This is a critical time in Akwa Ibom State. Your Excellency, you should actually prepare for war. It’s time to raise your soldiers and prepare for war in 2019. It’s going to be survival of the fittest and the winner-takes-it-all.”
On his part, Udom Emmanuel, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, prayed Holy Ghost fire to consume Senator Godswill Akpabio and other persons campaigning for a chaotic 2019 election in the State.”
While declaring his intention to run for a second term Friday, Emmanuel said that such statements should not emanate from someone who wishes well for the people, and therefore called on Holy Ghost fire to “burn them.”
“I hate human beings boasting that Akwa Ibom politics in 2019 will be like war, the invasion of of Poland by Hitler. Is that what you people want?
“Is that somebody who wishes well for the Akwa Ibom people? How can you say you want to come and kill 6.2 million people, because of politics? How many people did Hitler kill? The only thing that they have for you is that they want to come and kill Akwa Ibom people like Hitler. Is that politics? Is that development? Is that industry? Is that what they are supposed to do?
“So, let us burn them. Whoever is wishing Akwa Ibom a political situation of 2019, that Akwa Ibom will be like the invasion of Hitler, we say Holy Ghost fire. Whoever is buying guns, trying to kill our children, meanwhile they have gone to hide their own children abroad, and they want to come and kill our own, we say Holy Ghost fire.”
Dr. Chris Ekpenyong, former deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State and leader of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District said “Governor Udom Emmanuel, every thing is working for you because you are a child of God. We your inlaws are solidly behind you. We have our 600,000 votes intact. If our son, the senator decides to leave us and go to another party, that is his political interest and one man’s political interest cannot supersede the interest of a people.”
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State remarked ‘’Those that defected cannot say that Udom is not performing well, they were only escaping from prosecution. No man is God. Do not be intimidated, the only thing they have is to cause violence and insecurity. But I know you that you will stand and defend your votes.’’
In his goodwill message, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, said ‘’Akwa Ibom is lucky to have a God-fearing leader. God does not lie, he alone can make kings. You cannot come from anywhere and take over Akwa Ibom land. Akwa Ibom belongs to Akwa Ibom people and they must stay and reap the fruits of their land.’’
Earlier, Paul Ekpo, the state chairman of PDP, had recalled ‘’In 2014, we had G23 but today it is G1, which is you and that is because you have performed well. We will still go ahead with the other formalities and we are surely going to work and return you in 2019.’’
However, Franklyn Isong, Akwa Ibom born journalist and public commentator has strongly condemned Senator Okon’s statement and called on him to withdraw and aplogise to the people, while also urging the Department of State Services to call him to order.
