Gov. Akpabio
From: Essien Ndueso, Uyo
Media reports alleging that Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State supervised the beating of a member of the House of Assembly, has been described as false by Hon. Onofiok Luke, the man alleged to have been beaten in the reports.
In a press release, titled “That Lies May Fade and Truth Remain,” Onofiok Luke said the reports were not “factual and true” and stated in bold type that “Governor Akpabio did not supervise any of the acts done against (me).”
Maintaining that he has a “father – son relationship with Governor Akpabio which predates politics and governance,” he argued that there was no way as his father Governor Akabio “would have ‘beamed with smile’ while his son was assaulted,” as reported in the media.
Though he did not state what incidence he had with others, he maintained that Governor Akpabio “was informed of the incidence by the Akwa Ibom State Party Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo” and he immediately intervened and “caused the persons involved to apologize to me.”
He further maintained that Akpabio on that occasion demonstrated an “uncommon leadership trait” and described Akpabio as “our amiable Governor and performer, my father, friend and senior brother.”
He urged the press not to stoke the fire by giving “inaccurate accounts and trying to cause a disaffection between him and the Governor” and warned politicians not to try and make political capital out of the incidence.
Luke also regretted that Mr Aniekan Umanah, the Commissioner of Information and Communication, in his media response, said that he (Luke) raised his voice against Governor Akpabio and said the comment were inappropriate and failed to represent what happened.
In a separate response, Mr Umanah, however said he did not know what “incidence” happened before the Governor’s intervention as Luke pointed out, but maintained that Luke appeared excited and agitated and raised his voice vociferously in trying to state his position.
He said his choice of the phrase “raising his voice” was based on the observable fact and not a judgment of purpose or intent, maintaining that his main point of interest was in letting the press know the inaccuracies and falsity in their report. He said he was glad that Luke has finally decided to come out and tell the truth so “that lies may fade and truth remain.”
He said he did not know what transpired before the patriotic and statesmanlike intervention of Governor Akpabio, but thanked Governor Akpabio for promptly dousing the fire and earning the respect of all the contending parties by his awesome conflict management skills and statesmanship.
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