2015: Akpabio Moves Against  Albert Akpan! 

… Pays 25 Million to Political Jobbers

Smarting from the meeting he had with his Annang kindred last Tuesday at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo where he begged them to stand by him to finally put to rest the perceived Ibibio hegemony in the State, Gov. Akpabio in another closed door meeting held in the same venue in the wee hours of Sunday 25th may, 2014 with those who could be described as political jobbers and spent-forces from Ibiono Ibom, pleaded with them to support his SSG, Udom Emmanuel as Governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2015.
Our very reliable source who was privy to the meeting told our reporter that those in the attendance included the former Commissioner for Rural Development in Attah’s regime, Mr. Imo Inyang, the former Speaker, Engr. Ignatius Edet, Mr. Israel Utit, Barr. Mfon Udeme and Marcus Okuku who was reported in media circles as having collected 5 million Naira from Umana Okon Umana to front as a governorship aspirant from Ibiono Ibom.
The governor, according to our source, promised them, all manner of mouth-watering offers in an effort to create a war chest at home against his former Finance Commissioner who is angling for a shot at the governorship of the State in 2015.
According to the source, the governor doled out 25 Million Naira (5 Million Naira each) for the five of them to call a stakeholders meeting of Ibiono Ibom for Udom Emmanuel. The Governor, in the said meeting, had accused Albert of blackmailing him in Abuja, and paid glowing tributes to Mfon Udeme and Idongesit Ituen for their roles of accepting 5 Million Naira each to insult the former Finance Commissioner during the town hall meeting in Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency. He also used the occasion of the meeting to inform his guests that Senator Ita Enang will never return to the Senate so as not to challenge his quest for a leadership slot when he (Akpabio) ultimately makes it to the Senate.
In a telephone chat with our reporter, a prominent son of Ibiono Ibom wondered why Akpabio was embarking on a doom’s journey. According to him, “why is Gov. Akpabio afraid of his former Commissioner of Finance? Why is he raising an army against a man he calls his son, and a man who has served him faithfully? What does Akpabio think these failed politicians can do for him?”
Another politician who could not hold his anger at Akpabio’s leadership insincerity took a swipe at the said Ibiono Ibom sons who preferred Esau’s Porridge of stew from Akpabio than an opportunity for Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency to produce a governor in the person of Bassey Albert Akpan.
In his words, the politician said, “History will judge Akpabio for thinking that he could use people and dump them. Is Imo Inyang not the same person he promised Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Infrastructural Maintenance Agency? When the former Speaker removed Barr Mfon Udeme from office as the Transition Committee Chairman of Ibiono Ibom, did Akpabio not promise to make him one of his Personal Aides? If Akpabio could be heartless not to appreciate the efforts of the young man, Ita Benedict, who gave his all as his contribution to the Godswill Akpabio’s image challenge by relieving him of his appointment as his Personal Assistant on Media for being close to Albert, then these people who are now happy about their belated recognition by Akpabio should watch their back.
“Why is Akpabio offering cash, position, and appointment to Albert if he is so confident of a smooth ride with his Udom Emmanuel project? Why is he this desperate to the extent that he would be running from pillar to post? First, it was Umana, his known friend and brother, now it is Albert, his professed son. It is sad that the last days of Akpabio is becoming so dark and he’s revealing his true self to Akwa Ibom people as a leader who is morally bankrupt and lacks regards for friendship”, the angry politician said. “Akwa Ibom people are  waiting for Godswill Akpabio”, he concluded.