Group demands apology from Akpabio over remark on leaders, says APC cannot takeover Akwa Ibom in 2027

Akwa Ibom group of ;professionals and political stakeholders have asked the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio to apologise to leaders of the State for casting aspersion on them, particularly the former Governor Obong Victor Attah.

Akpabio had lashed at the former governor of the State, claiming that Victor Attah didn’t do anything meaningful in office before he became governor in 2027. Akpabio further boasted that he introduced infrastructure including overhead bridges during his time in office as governor.

The remark triggered anger from the group, hence, the Coordinator of Akwa Ibom Stakeholders and Professionals, Engr. Ufot Akan Umoren, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, asking the Senate President to apologise.

The group accused Akpabio of using divisive tactics in a bid to destabilise the current Peoples Democratic Party’s of administration, saying that the All Progressives Congress cannot take over Akwa Ibom in 2027.

The statement reads, “Senator Akpabio actions and utterances give him away as a wholesomely self-conceited human being. He has crossed the lines by disparaging the personality and performance in office of the architect of the modern Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Obong Victor Attah, and even the pioneer indigenous governor of the State, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga.

“His unfounded claim that Akwa Ibom State never experienced real development until when he (Akpabio) became the governor in 2007 is absurd and an unacceptable spurning of the legacy and groundbreaking achievements of Obong Victor Attah and other leaders which the state continues to enjoy even for generations to come.

“It is on record that the foundation and masterplan for the development of Akwa Ibom State originated from Obong Victor Attah’s administration. All projects Senator Akpabio can boast of as governor of Akwa Ibom are all rooted in the Attah administration.

“Governor Attah initiated, conceptualized and commenced execution of major landmark projects including the Ibom Airport, major highways, dualization projects, gas processing projects, the Ibom Icon and Golf Course and array of legacy projects which continues to serve the people of Akwa Ibom State for generations to come.

“Above all, the fight for the derivative funding, which the State is enjoying today, was spearheaded by Obong Victor Attah.

“Senator Akpabio served under Governor Attah’s government as a commissioner for six years. Who was he before Governor Attah picked him and allowed him the opportunities he leveraged on to become a governor? Akpabio is a wholesome example of the proverbial destitute child that bites the fingers that fed him.

“It is appalling that after benefitting from Akwa Ibom State, instead of joining hands with other leaders to move the State to the next level under the current administration of Governor Umo Eno, Akpabio is rather going about and making unguarded, inciting and divisive political statements that have the capacity to cause crisis and destabilize the State.

“We challenge Senator Akpabio to point to any achievement he made as Senate Minority Leader for four years; as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs for four years and now Senate President. He should mention one idea he had ever contributed to help the Economy of our nation, Nigeria. Of course, he has nothing to point to.

“We counsel Senator Akpabio to retrace his steps by tendering an unreserved apology to Obong Victor Attah, other leaders, the government and people of Akwa Ibom State as we will not hesitate to resist further attempts to divide the state with ethnic seeds of discord.

“Akpabio should also respect the Will of the people as symbolized in the election of Governor Eno, concentrate on his duties in Abuja as Senate President, and stop huffing around Akwa Ibom State,” the group stated.