Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Chinagorom Ugwu
Published on 2024-02-27 11:08:15
Nduese Essien, a former federal lawmaker from Akwa Ibom State, recently penned an open letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, highlighting what he described as inconsistencies in the Senate President’s political comments. Essien, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party and a former minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, pointed out specific instances where Akpabio’s statements did not align with facts.
One of the issues Essien raised was Akpabio’s recent claim that the Federal Inland Revenue Service paid N30 billion to each state governor to address rising food prices. Akpabio later admitted that the information was unverified, leading Essien to criticize him for not fact-checking before making such bold statements. Essien emphasized the importance of caution and accuracy in public statements, especially coming from a high-ranking government official like Akpabio.
Essien also questioned Akpabio’s consistency in his statements regarding oil-producing areas in Akwa Ibom State. He pointed out that Akpabio had previously neglected the oil-producing regions in the state during his tenure as governor, despite now claiming that all local government areas in Akwa Ibom are oil-producing. This apparent contradiction raised concerns for Essien, who accused Akpabio of diverting resources away from the oil-producing areas.
Furthermore, Essien criticized Akpabio for his comments regarding the location of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited’s office in Akwa Ibom. Akpabio suggested that the office should be in Oron, rather than Eket, where Mobil currently operates. However, Essien pointed out that Mobil’s operational field is in Ibeno, not Eket, and that the company’s headquarters is in Lagos. He questioned Akpabio’s understanding of the situation and accused him of attempting to incite division in the state with his remarks.
In his open letter, Essien also alluded to Akpabio’s political ambitions for the 2027 elections in Akwa Ibom. He warned Akpabio that his current approach may not garner the support he seeks, especially in Oron, where the population is politically astute. Essien advised Akpabio to focus on national politics instead and contribute to addressing the challenges facing the country.
Overall, Essien’s letter highlighted his concerns about Akpabio’s leadership, calling attention to inconsistencies in his statements and actions. As a former lawmaker with extensive experience in politics, Essien’s critique carries weight and serves as a reminder to all leaders to exercise caution and diligence in their public remarks. It remains to be seen how Akpabio will respond to these criticisms and whether he will address the issues raised by Essien in his open letter.
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