The immediate past goovernor of Akwa Ibom State Senator Godswill Akpabio is not happy with the state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for attending a
summer convention in the United States organised by Akwa
Ibom Indigenes abroad.
A former aide of Akpabio , who does not want to be named,
told our correspondent in Uyo, on Tuesday, that the former
governor had advised Emmanuel not to embark on the
journey because the trip was unnecessary, considering the
cost it involved.
He maintained that Akpabio had asked Emmanuel to avoid
spending money on things that would not generate revenue
for the state, but should focus on attracting investors into
the state.
According to him, since Emmanuel had assumed office as
Akwa Ibom State governor, the Akwa Ibom people have not
felt the impact of his administration.
He noted that since Emmanuel took over from Akpabio as
governor 66 days ago, the state has not witnessed any
significant progress.
He revealed that Emmanuel left Akwa Ibom with a
delegation of over 60 persons. They would spend two weeksin the US.
He added that Akpabio considered the trip unnecessary. He
said it would not add value to Akwa Ibom people at home.
The convener, Coalition of Human Rights Defenders, Akwa
Ibom State chapter, Mr. Inibehe Effiong, said Emmanuel
learnt his wasteful attitude from Akpabio. He added that few weeks ago, Emmanuel was spotted at the Ibom International Airport on a chartered jet.
He said, “I can tell you, Emmanuel is very wasteful. The
other day, he was seen at the Ibom International Airport on
a chartered flight. Why has the governor chosen to go on a
chartered flight when the economy of the country is
wobbling? This does not make sense.
“He (Emmanuel) learnt his wasteful attitude from his
master, Senator Godswill Akpabio. The trip is a way of
siphoning money from the state; it is purely based on self-
interest. We hope the whole thing will soon be over. We
don’t have a governor yet,” he said.
But in a swift reaction, the Chief Press Secretary to the
governor, Mr. Ekerette Udoh, who is also in the US, said
Emmanuel was not only the governor of those that reside in
Akwa Ibom State but a governor of the Akwa Ibom people,
irrespective of where they live.
He stated that the summer convention was an important
occasion as it attracted many governors from the country.
He noted that Emmanuel did not embark on the trip for
selfish reasons, but to woo industrialists to the state.
He said, “The Akwa Ibom State governor is the governor of
all Akwa Ibom people wherever they may be in the world.
He has a right to tell them his programmes for the state.
“The summer convention is a very important occasion.
Emmanuel is there to attract investors to the state. Many
other governors in the Nigeria are also in the United States
for the same reason.”

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