As Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s Vice President visited Akwa Ibom State on Friday, neither Akwa Ibom Governor nor the deputy governor was at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo to receive him as protocol demands, Straightnews has gathered.
Earlier, the state government had complained that the government was not notified of the visit on what it calls ‘gamesmanship’ but some critics see the government’s action as a ‘ruse.’
Osinbajo who visited the state for All Progressives Congress programmes was said to be in shock as neither Governor Udom Emmanuel nor Moses Ekpo, the state Deputy Governor was on hand to officially receive him.
The Vice President last visited the state on September 30, 2017 when he graced Akwa Ibom state 30th creation anniversary, and inaugurated some development projects in the state.
Senator Ita Enang, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly (Senate) had on Friday, January 31 in Uyo told journalists that Osinbajo would visit Akwa Ibom State on February 1.
However, Mr. Charles Udoh, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, issued and posted on the Facebook a press release for the Akwa Ibom State Government dated February 1, denying knowledge of the Vice President’s visit.
The release entitled PURPORTED VISIT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT TO AKWA IBOM STATE and signed by him said “The attention of the Akwa Ibom State Government has been drawn to news reports about a proposed visit of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to Akwa Ibom State.
“The State Government wishes to place on record the fact that it has not been notified about proposed visit as Protocol demands and is therefore unaware of the purpose and duration of the visit. This development is an obvious aberration with a political undertone aimed at embarrassing the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State.”
“It is unfortunate that political gamesmanship has been taken beyond the realms of normalcy as it relates to issues of Protocol.
“The Government of Akwa Ibom state remains committed to pursuing its avowed policy of political inclusion and respect for constituted authority,” it concluded.
Though Osinbajo arrived at the airport few minutes past 2 p.m, Mrs. Grace Akpan, Director of Strategy in the state Ministry of Information and Strategy few hours later on her Facebook timeline wrote “Akwa Ibom State Government again demonstrated its spirit of statesmanship and commitment to political inclusion as the government receives visiting Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo despite not being duly notified officially of the visit; it’s purpose and duration!”
“The Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel was represented by the secretary to State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem.
“#Welcome to the land of Peace, Security and Prosperity, Mr. VP,” Akpan added.
Her position seemed to have portrayed the state government’s stand and clearly vindicated the views of some people who thought the absence might have been ‘political.’
Apart from Dr. Ekuwem who stood in for the governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Senator James John Akpan Udo Edehe, Chief Don Etiebet, Senator Ita Enang, Nsima Ekere, the state APC governorship candidate and Senator Nelson Effiong, among other APC chieftains joined in receiving the Vice President.
Reacting to the Governor’s absence at the airport, a source in Government House, Uyo told Straightnews “During the time Osinbajo visited, the state Governor and the Deputy Governor were in Etim Ekpo and Ika local government areas in the state for Peoples Democratic Party campaign rallies.”
A civil servant in the state who spoke with Straightnews on condition of anonymity explained “It is not the duty of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state to inform the governor about the visit. It is the duty of Protocol Unit, Office of the Vice President to inform the Office of Director of Protocol to the Governor on the visit. Whether informed or not, the Governor as a matter of courtesy should have gone and received the Vice President.
“He said he was not informed about the visit. Why did he ask his Secretary to the State Government to receive Osinbajo? The logic on his absence is not tenable and genuine to rational minds,” the civil servant argued.
Ekemini Udoh observed “In this political season, people play politics with everything. Assuming the office of the Vice President did not inform the governor about the visit, protocol demands that he should go and receive the country’s No. 2 citizen.”
But, Akpan Moses, a trader queried “Since it pleased the Governor to send SSG to receive Osinbajo, why did he not send the deputy governor to stand in for him?”
Theophillus Edet in reply Facebook commented “This is an embarrassment. The governor has no excuse not to be on ground to receive our VP. So he was in a campaign rally?”
Another Facebook commentator, Victor Onofiok wrote “Some said Udom flee away from the state. Some said Udom receives VP. Which one are we believing!!!”
