Clamour by some people for the probe of Chief Godswill Akpabio administration in Akwa Ibom State has been seen as personal and selfish rants.
This is coming against the background on the call by Christopher Ekpenyong, a Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West in the National Assembly for the probe of Senator Akpabio for trillions of Naira accrued to his administration.
Ubokobong Umoh, the national secretary of Niger Delta Activists Forum, said the call by Ekpenyong is borne out of selfishness and witch-hunting spirit.
Umoh, speaking Thursday in an interview on Inspiration 105.9 FM Radio by Team Nigeria Classic sponsored by Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Niger Delta Affairs to President Muhammadu Buhari, said the probe of Akwa Ibom government should be a holistic one spanning from 1999 till date.
Obong Victor Attah ruled from 1999 to 2007; Senator Akpabio governed from 2007 to 2015 while Udom Emmanuel is ruling from 2015 till date.
Obong Christopher Ekpenyong in granting interview to journalists, however, had appaluded the forensic audit of of Niger Delta Development Commssion, NDDC ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Umoh, who is also a convener of Akwa Ibom Progressives Alliance, said “Akpabio is not the first nor will he be the last governor of Akwa Ibom State. Before him, there were governors and at present, there is a governor.
“Why do you call for the probe of Akpabio alone? It means you have something personal against him otherwise you should call for the probe of other past and present governors in the state. I think the probe should be holitistic,” he said.
“The Federal Government has ordered forensic audit of NDDC from 2001 (inception period) till date for all transactions in the commission. Why can’t the state government order forensic probe of Akwa Ibom government financial transactions right from 1999 (the advent of democracy in the country) till date for the purpose of transparency and probity. If this is not done, then it amounts to with-hunting, which cannot be accepted,” Umoh reasoned.
Meanwhile, Obong Iniobong John, Akwa Ibom Chairman, APC National Youth Caucus has reacted to Senator Ekpenyong’s tirade against Akpabio.
John said “We are constrained to write you this letter to address the illogic and pedestrian things you’ve said against our party leader and Hon minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.”
In a rejoinder entitled RE: YOUR MISGUIDED ATTACK ON SEN. AKPABIO, John noted “In the first place, your insinuation that the Hon minister should account for the four trillion naira accrued to the state during his tenure as governor of the state is baseless and speculative.
“As Governor of the State, Senator Akpabio left record of achievements that his successors may not be able to match. At the end of his tenure, he had submitted a handover note to his successor as expected of him and till date, neither his successor, Mr Udom Emmanuel nor the state House of Assembly has accused him of anything. We don’t know how else you expected him to render account of his stewardship.”
According to him, “As Deputy Governor of the State, we recall that you had used some fronts to corner some contracts with the state government and we also recall that you didn’t do the jobs and that led to your impeachment as Deputy governor of the state in 2005.
“If you had any abandoned contract with NDDC, we advise you return to site and get the job done and handed over to the Commission. That’s the only way out.
“No amount of blackmail or media attacks on the Hon minister of Niger Delta Affairs would stop the Forensic probe of NDDC as ordered by the President.
“We are sure you spoke out of malice. Your irrational utterances portray you as a desperate man.
“No rational person would take you serious,” he remarked.
