The Stakeholders Meeting and the Kidnapping of General Akpan---The Real Story.

The Universal Energy company is supposed to be a private venture in which Akwa Ibom State Government has a small share. And General Edet Akpan is the Chairman of the company.

A few months ago, Governor Akpabio approached General Akpan with a notice that Akwa Ibom State intends to sell its share in the company to a foreign firm, and demanded that Akwa Ibom States' share in the company should therefore be increased from 10% to 60%. Immediately after Akpabio's demands were made known to Akpan, he (Akpan) was tipped off that Akpabio is actually the one with a plan to buy the company for himself and his family.

Based on the tip-off, General Akpan refused and communicated his reasons to Akpabio in writing, warning that based on the terms of contract, Akwa Ibom State cannot become the majority holder in the company, and that increasing the government's share would violate the terms of the contract, which the company signed with the State of Akwa Ibom. Akpabio was furious. Few wekks after, General Akpan was kidnapped.

At the so-called stakeholders meeting, anger flared among the Ibibio elders and other prominent people, who were at the meeting, when Akpabio and Etiebet tried to blame Victor Attah and Akpan Udoedehe for the kidnapping of General Akpan. Rather than claim responsibility for his mistakes, due to poor leadership and poor governance, Akpabio tried to blame opposition for the kidnapping of General Akpan.

It is reported that Edidem Udo Ukpa, who was at the meeting, was so angry at Governor Akpabio and Etiebet that the entire Ibibio people walked out of the meeting, leaving the food and all the drinks that were intended to be served.

But for the earlier intervention of the former Deputy Governor, Chris Ekpenyong, no one is certain of what could have been the outcome of Ibibio people's anger. It is reported that Chris Ekpenyong took it upon hiomself to remind Akpabio that during Victor Attah's admnistration, in which he (Chris Ekpenyong) was a part, there was no incident of kidnapping in the state. Chris Ekpenyong is quoted as saying "Governor, the people are hungry. Your people are hungry. That is why they kidnap people. You have to settle your people, your gang and all those boys that work for you in order to reduce incidents of kidnapping in the State."

Some of those who were at the meeting confirmed that governor Akpabio, who did not expect the type of reaction he witnessed from the Ibibio people, was visibly shaking, especially when Edidem Udo Ukpa spoke to him in no uncertain terms.

Edidem Ukpa, and other Ibibio elders, warned governor Akpabio that the Ibibio are tired of seeing their sons and daughters kidnapped everyday. They also made it known to Akpabio that the Ibibio know very well that Sunny Elijah was used to kidnap General Akpan. And before the (Ibibio) elders left the meeting, Akpabio was given a stern warning to do everything within his power to stop the Kidnapping of Ibibio people.

The meeting ended in chaos; the Ibibio elders and other prominent people walked out, refused the food and the drink --- an act, which was deliberately crafted to send a strong message to Akpabio, Etiebet, and his gang.

Thompson Essien
The Voice of the Poor Masses
Defender of the Oppressed
Social Critic
A native of Ibibio Nation of Ubium Republic extraction, now living in the safe and beautiful city of Portland, Oregon, where no AKPF, ADUMA, ADV, and Akwa Ibom State politician can reach.

Let us marry our palms together, kneel and/or bow in prayers to that GOD WHOM the cultists do not worship; WHOSE NAME the sycophants of bad/evil governance call in vain; and watch events!

God has not finished with Akwa Ibom State, yet!!

Soon the Abacha syndrome (DENIAL and castigation of Abacha) which afflicted Abacha's sycophants, MAY afflict the sycophants of the Akpabio Administration. Have you noticed the silence of the regular sycophants of the Administration in this forum, in the past few days since the Kidnapping of General Akpan? Have you heard any of the regular sycophants assert anymore that NONE of the kidnappings in Akwa Ibom State was POLITICAL, particularly after the Army arrested the master suspect in General Akpan's kidnapping? Are any of the political "tourists" still expressing "shock" at the "progress" in Akwa Ibom State? Silence, silence and silence!!!

Now, with the kidnap, quick release of General Akpan (thank God), and the quick arrest of a prominent political wonk of undemocratic, power-hungry, greedy-bent, muscle-induced evil governance; we know that the blood of "Etekamba Umoren"; the blood of the Ekpenyong brothers; the blood of Barrister Udonwa; and a host of other blood shed by the cultists, for political and/or economic reasons DID NOT cry to GOD in vain.

The murders which the Police in Akwa Ibom State could not uncover; GOD may now use General Akpan's kidnapping and the Army to uncover. And if the understanding is correct that the ex-General's body-guards were Nigerian soldiers; then the hoodlums (thank God) have made certain that this becomes a Federal case; (by killing Nigerian soldiers charged with the responsibilities of protecting an ex-army General); which may prove a bit more difficult for them and/or their fellow criminals to subvert!!!

Contrary to earlier reports on the amount required by General Akpan's kidnappers, the actual amount was N200 million, not N20 million, as reported earlier. However, through negotiations, the kidnappers have reduced their ransom amount to N70 million. As of this writing, negotiations are still going on.

According to the information I just received, a group of top retired military officers in Akwa Ibom State, led by the Airforce strongman, Nsikak Eduok, has been convening to figure out the proper reaction to the kidnapping of a retired General and the killing of the soldiers who were attached to guard General Akpan.

The retired officers, according to the information, are keeping their intended choice of action a secret until Akpan is released---they are concerned about the safety of his life. However, the report says they are mad as hell with Governor Akpabio for encouraging the atmosphere, which allows the crime of kidnapping to become a big-time business in Akwa Ibom State.

kidnapping is a very big evil alien to nigerian culture.the first kidnapping was in 2006 by mend and since then it has spread like wild fire to neighbouring states.abia and akwaibom are the most affected.blame game cannot solve this.what is needed is co operation of all nigerians to bring this alien evil to an end.this same thing happened in abia where bende people were blaming the ngwas for kidnap of their people.

Cry, thy beloved country

A national conference on curbing kidnapping need to be held
But hey ho1 This is Nigeria. Maybe when Turai is kidnapped thats when our government will wake up to its responsibilities