HON.UWAK MEDIA WAR WITH GOV. AKPABIO AND MY REACTION

HON.UWAK WAR OF WORDS WITH GOV. AKPABIO AND MY REACTION

For about three weeks now, the social media especially facebook and blogs has been awashed with commentaries, articles and remarks by Akwa Ibomites and Nigerians alike generating from a facebook post by Hon. Robinson Uwak, Member representing Oron Federal Constituency reacting to Governor Akpabio neglect of Oron Federal Constituency in his development projects in the state. The post went viral on facebook, twitter, Google + and was circulated in several blogs across the country while the print media were not left out.

Barely two weeks, the governor reacted to the post through the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. AniekanUmanah challenging Hon. Uwak submission for raising false allegations against the person of the governor. In less than 24 hours after Aniekan Umanah’s responses went viral on social media, Hon. Uwak responded with another post.

Considering the impulse of this media war and the resultant effect which will end up heating the polity more than what is experienced in the past few month, I stepped in by calling both parties as not showing good example. I went further to scold Hon. Uwak for being the first to fired the shot and advice government to spread projects to accommodate all segment of the state which also attracted wild reactions hence, the need to publish them here for wider public reaction.

Below are all the posts unedited. Please feel free to read it and comment accordingly. 

HON. ROBINSON UWAK FIRST POST:

My fellow brothers in the struggle, I speak to you from the depth of my heart.

There comes a time when a man must stand and stand firm. Leadership is a responsibility that places a demand on you to be of integrity and courage. We are all leaders at different levels. As a people we have come to the crossroads of our political history; as a person I have come to the crossroads of my political future.

I have always preached that our first loyalty is to the blood that flows in us; the Oro blood. For no one can represent a people if not that the blood of such a people flows purely through his veins regardless of his connections or affiliations. This is why as good a representative as I may be, I cannot represent the Annang people and vice versa.

This means that our primary qualification is our blood and origin.
I have seen men go out to war. Some come back amputated due to injuries sustained in the cause of the struggle. Those amputated can always access solutions like artificial arms, legs and other parts of the body that can be substituted.

The struggle for Oro 2015 is a different kind of struggle. It is not about territory, land or money. It is about the IDENTITY of a people, the right of the Oro ethnic nationality, the very SPIRIT of the Oro people. I have seen cure for amputees of different forms and causes but I have searched and still can’t find a cure to an amputated SPIRIT or IDENTITY . This is exactly what His Excellency Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio (CON), the uncommon transformer of Annang land and just parts of Uyo with nothing to show in Oro for nearly eight hard years will hand the lot of you as he continues his open show of hatred for the Oro ethnic nationality as he arm twists the state to deny the Oro people governorship.

I Robinson Uwak will resist the amputation of my spirit! Even if it cost my political future. What will you do? Choose what your spirit will wear come 2015, clutches or POP? Stand Up for your SPIRIT; your IDENTITY!! . Let’s oppose vehemently the amputation of our spirit! Let our children know what we stood for at the crossroads! Ojei! Ojei! Bari 2015 Oro edi ka!!!

Robinson Uwak is a Honourable Member of the Federal Republic on Nigeria, Representing, Oron, Mbo, Okobo, Udung Uko, and Urue Offong/Oruko LGA.

RESPONSE BY CHIEF GODSWILL AKPABIO THROUGH HON. COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION, MR. ANIEKAN UMANAH:

Mr. Aniekan Umanah, Hon. Commisssioner for Information and Communications, AKS

DISHONOURABLE VERSES: ANIEKAN UMANAH REPLIES ROBINSON UWAK
I read with absolute shock, the recent social media broadcast by my friend and brother, Hon. Robinson Uwak, member representing Oron Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives . He started by saying , “My fellow brothers in the struggle”, those he described as the people with ‘Oro blood’ and went on and on with venomous and hate filled vituperations. My first impulse was a pressure to dismiss the insidious, fabricated and unfounded bias that characterized the content of that broadcast as not emanating from the honourable lawmaker, but another sham by desperate opponents of our amiable brother, who are trying to forment trouble.

I was however taken aback when on surfing his Wall, I confirmed he actually authored the script, as it is posted thereon, thus compelling this rejoinder. ensign 
Let me wager that, there is nothing amiss for any man to identify with his own people, with who he shares natural filial and tribal affiliation, as in Akwa Ibom state, we have the Ibibios, Annang, Oro , Ekid, Ibeno and Obollo . 

But, it becomes worrisome when such affinity is exploited for a sinister and ridiculous motive to incite unsuspecting people for political gains. I have to remind my brother, Honourable Uwak, that although, we have our ethnic identities over which we had no choice, but found ourselves born into by divine predestination, we remain in reality, one big family. I also put it to our brother that, the blood that flows in all of us does not have different colours. Besides, what unites us as a people is far stronger and more important than what differentiates us. That we all use and read the Efik Bible or Literature is a potent proof of our common heritage, culture, ancestry and destiny as Akwa Ibom people.

I became more alarmed when my brother, dovetailed into making cynical and ironical statements, insinuating that, our Leader, His Excellency, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON, hates Oro nation, has marginalized them. I could not help but laugh at these spurious and wild allegations made against the person of the Governor with a view to discredit his legacies.

In a brazen but futile attempt to spite the Governor, Hon. Uwak described him as, “… the uncommon transformer of Annang land and just parts of uyo with nothing to show in Oro for nearly eight hard years” Such an unfair assessment of the man, who has come to be internationally acknowledged as a change agent, is to put it poignantly, dishonest, dishonourable and a disservice to the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State.

As a Legislator, who ordinarily should know, the starting point of development and governance is the House of Assembly, which makes Appropriation Laws for the State. Over the last seven years of the Akpabio Administration, it is a well known fact that, the State Legislature has commendably allocated 80% to Capital expenditure and 20% recurrent, which is justified by the unprecedented pace of development and radical revamp of social and economic infrastructure in the State, resulting in the Uncommon Transformation, Uwak seems hell-bent on putting down.

Before I address Uwak’s lie that Oro has been totally neglected, let me remind him that, Uyo is the epicentre of the Akwa Ibom story being the State capital. That is obviously why, the major projects of Governor Akpabio including, but not limited to the brand new Governors Lodge, Deputy Governors Lodge, Governors office, Banquet Hall and Press Centre all with state-of-the art finesse are located in Uyo.

For the same consideration, the Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Complex, E-Library, 20th Anniversary Referral Hospital and all major road dualizations, redevelopment and flyovers are found in Uyo. Or will our dear Honourable lawmaker fault the siting of the world class 30,000 seater International Stadium, which is already a showpiece attracting accolades and jubilation from the state and beyond in Uyo? 

But, maybe, our Honourable member has forgotten that, the Ibom International Airport which Governor Akpabio met at site clearing level on assumption of office in 2007 and completed it, is largely in Okobo Local Government Area of Oro nation. Could he have also conveniently erased from mind that the longest bridge in the State (1.2KM) is being built at Ukonteghe in Oro nation even as government started with the construction of 34 urban roads in Oron many of which have since been completed.

Can we also refresh our Honourable’s memory that, the man he falsely labels as ‘Uncommon Transformer of Annang land and a small part of UYO’ has undertaken 18 urban roads in Ikot Abasi, 49 in Eket, 11.2km of road in Etinan, 11km in Mkpat Enin and we can go on and on.

It will be unfortunate, if Honourable Uwak has also failed to reckon that the ongoing dualization of Eket/Ibeno road, even distribution of amenities through the widely acclaimed instrumentality of the Inter Ministerial Direct Labour Agency and political appointments by this ‘Annang Governor’, as he chose to tag him, have been kind to all component units of the State, including Oro.

I am under no illusion that, my brother, Uwak, knows a lot more than he is faking to advocate, and it is really unfortunate, he can lend his ensign to this utter falsehood and blackmail. The only logical thing to do, is for Honourable Uwak to toe the line of true honour by correcting the wrong accounts he has rendered as I fear, he may not have been deeply reflective in thought before issuing the broadcast. He must work to strengthen the bonds that tie us as a people and rise above primordial sentiments, political grandstanding and playing to the gallery.

We are also aware and alert to the fact that, with the 2015 General Elections around the corner, all manner of contrivances and mendacity will be on display to unnecessarily hoodwink the people or manipulate public sympathy, albeit, with concealed selfish or sectional interests delivered with persuasive oration. Our people must be wary of such antics which does not serve the general good.

It is an incontrovertible fact that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has endorsed the overwhelming aggregation of public consensus that the Governorship seat of the State be zoned to Eket Senatorial District come 2015, as was manifest during the Town Hall meetings held across the ten Federal Constituencies by Governor Godswill Akpabio.

This further underscores His Excellency’s position that all aspirants including Uwak’s Oron Federal Constituency, which is a bonafide part of the favoured Senatorial District are eligible to contest for the office. Consequently, Hon. Uwak is as much at liberty to support and vote for any aspirant of his choice, and should also concede to me, or indeed, the rest of his fellow citizens the right to support whosoever they so desire. At the end, our common prayer is to affirm the petition of His Excellency, Governor Akpabio, that, God’s will should be done again, and again and again.

Ojei! OJei ojei Bari akpaniko !Signed

Mr Aniekan Umanah
Honourable Commissioner for Information & Communications
Akwa Ibom State

HON. UWAK SECOND POST 

Good afternoon your excellency. I have heard of your government house press release over my post on Facebook of over two weeks ago. While I am surprised that it has taken the uncommon transformer of Annoying land over two weeks to gather himself to confront the TRUTH, it is pertinent to ask if you briefed your managers of your phone conversation with me where you clearly admitted marginalizing Oro and pleaded with me to bring down the post on Facebook and come to a negotiating table with you. Did you tell them that my only condition for meeting with you is the award of Oron road by Isanghedighi to Julius Berger? I plead with you your excellency to let the slaves toiling in your exco into our conversation of Saturday the 5th of July. Maybe they will gather the courage to advice you sincerely when you do wrong. Please tell your slaves I am a free man I and I will only exchange conversation with a freemen like you so they need not bother. In the future your excellency, if you have anything to respond to TRUTH please deal directly with me and don’t send a slave to me. In the meantime hurry,fix roads in Oro and support Oro 2015 or you will not have a vote from Oro.
Best Regards, Hon. Robinson Uwak, Ubeadai Oro

MY TAKE ON MEDIA WAR BETWEEN HON. ROBINSON UWAK AND GOV. GODSWILL AKPABIO

I read with amazement the media war between Hon. Robinson Uwak, Member representing Oron Federal Constituency and Gov. Godswill Akpabio, the executive governor of Akwa Ibom State through Mr. Aniekan Umanah, Hon. Commissioner for Information and must express my disappointment on this development. 

As young people, we should be looking forward to our leaders and emulate them by their good attributes and not this show of media prowess on social network. I refuse to publish the two post by Hon. Uwak and Mr. Aniekan Umanah's respectively on my blog because it does not speak good of people who we should be looking forward as role models.

Firstly, I faulted Hon. Robinson Uwak post for lacking in sincerity. I want to believe that Hon. Robinson Uwak has been having phone conversation with Gov. Akpabio as indicated in his second post. The question is: Why didn't you went to the governor to express your displeasure in the way he treated Oron people? Secondly, why did it took you over three years to expressed your displeasure? Why using offensive and threatening words? 

Hon. Uwak, your second post responding to Aniekan Umanah's Press Statement has exposed your initial intention to denigrate and bring the office of the governor to disrepute. This does not speak good of you as an Honourable Member.

Hon. Robinson Uwak, I want to put it to you that there are many ways to advocate for Oro Cause rather than the method you have adopted. As far as I can recalled, Okobo LGA where you came from once produce Minister of Science and Technology, Attorney-General of the State while you serve as a House of Rep member. Just in one LGA. Calling people serving under Akpabio including Commissioners as ''slave'' is the least expected from a Federal Lawmaker of your calibre. You were one young man that I followed with passion but must express disappointment on your recent activities on Facebook. You can still advance the cause of Oro people without engaging or seeing others as enemies.

Just a week ago, the Hon. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi led some distinguished sons and daughters of Oron Federal Constituency on a Thank you Visit to the Governor which some revered sons of Oron made their case with the governor. That was the right thing and best way to do it which the governor conceded to their request. All immediate past Commissioners from Oro Nation who served in Akpabio's administration were also in attendance. We should make our case known but it must be with the right choice of words.

On the part of government, I think it is not necessary to respond to every verbal attack either on print or social media. Government is prone to series of attack and unnecessary criticism like what is happening in our state in the build-up to 2015 but when you respond to all of them, you give credence to it. Some of this verbal attack should be totally ignored as it is aimed to score some political point. For those who celebrated verbal attack on government or its officials, remember that government is a continuum. Today, it may be Akpabio and tomorrow, it may be someone else. Who knows, it may be you.

On a final note, we must all learn to respect the office of the governor and stop bringing it to public ridicule. Also, government must be responsible and meet the needs of the people. Resource allocation and project execution must be balance to avoid unnecessary friction. We must not heat up the polity as 2015 election will come and go and Akwa Ibom people will remain one united family. God bless Akwa Ibom State.

UBONG DAVID, Social Media Activist/Blogger