The 23rd day of September is celebrated as Independence Day in Akwa Ibom State. Since 1987, Akwa Ibomite has come to embrace “September 23” as a day to celebrate freedom, unity, and progress. While previous celebrations have taken the dimension of uniting the state and inspiring togetherness and progress, this year’s celebration has taken a different dimension, courtesy of the State House of Assembly led by Rt Hon. Udeme Otong.

Earlier this year, the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, according to a source in the government house, was promised “the governorship” of the state after the current administration if he could pass an obnoxious law that would seek to divide the state into first-class citizens, second-class citizens, and third-class citizens based on ethnicity.

This obnoxious law, according to the source, was written under the disguise of amending the already existing traditional institution bill and was sponsored by the executive arm of government. The speaker, according to the source, was given a timeline to execute the project, and some, notably house members, were also promised juicy offers.

Before now, all the ethnic groups in Akwa Ibom State have existed together in peace and harmony without any form of segregation, but this obnoxious law, if signed by the governor, will create a class difference between the ethnic groups, which can affect the existing harmony between the ethnic groups in the state.

Remember the biblical Esau? Even though the Speaker is from the second largest ethnic group in the state, some political leaders from his constituency claimed that he has betrayed his people and his oath of office by passing a law that tends to make his ethnic group look like a second-class citizen in the state.

“Akwa Ibom State is faced with a series of problems, from poverty to insecurity. I wonder why the Speaker will put so much energy into creating a law that will create division and disunity in the state," one of them noted.

“Secondly, we are reliably informed that the cabal that sponsored this obnoxious law has promised him governorship in 2031; this is laughable; I mean, 2031 is still very far; we still have a case at the tribunal; there is 2027, and someone is already betraying his people because of 2031."

"History: we will remember the House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt Hon. Udeme Otong as those who tried to bring disunity to the state via this obnoxious bill, but I can assure you they won’t succeed,” he added.

As Akwa Ibomite awaits the decision of the governor on the said bill, political commentators are hoping that the governor will do the right thing and throw the bill into the dustbin where it belongs.

Sorry to say, but I see the average akwaibomite as a potential turncoat, they're too ambitious.

mariovito:
Sorry to say, but I see the average akwaibomite as a potential turncoat, they're too ambitious.

You know them very well.

The law hasn't been passed so you aren't different from the speaker how did you know that he's from the second class citizens

mariovito:
Sorry to say, but I see the average akwaibomite as a potential turncoat, they're too ambitious.

Lol.
There are reasons why we agreed to have them carved out of our state.

U havent told us the law, how do we understand what you are saying??

mariovito:
Sorry to say, but I see the average akwaibomite as a potential turncoat, they're too ambitious.

Yoruba tout

BoldBrainz:


Lol.
There are reasons why we agreed to have them carved out of our state.

see a rice Bandit comparing Akwa Ibom to Osun

Lol.

So na so you don carry Yoruba dash me?

Oya give me Yoruba name make e for complete.

Seefinish:
Yoruba tout

BoldBrainz:


Lol.
There are reasons why we agreed to have them carved out of our state.

Name your state let's compare it to Akwa Ibom State of 36 years. If you don't do so, you remain a coward.