Not
a few Akwa Ibomites were shocked at the insulting and condescending words
deployed by Mr Aniekan Umana, former Commissioner for Information against Chief
Edet Nkpubre in an attempt to defend his former boss, Senator Godswill Akpabio
on the popular call for the investigation of his tenure as Governor of Akwa
Ibom State.
The
subject of contention this time around was the allegation that the former
Governor purportedly donated the sum of N1.4 billion to a commercial bank.
Surprisingly,
Mr Aniekan Umana attempted to disingenuously re-write the story with a view to
portraying Chief Edet Nkpubre, a chieftain of the All Progressives
Congress(APC) as its source. Of course, everyone knows that Chief Nkpubre is
one politician who is very cautious with the use of words. No matter how much
you disagree with him, you can't describe Chief Nkpubre as loquacious nor can
you ever honestly accuse him of rabble rousing.
Chief
Edet Nkpubre is widely known to be very honest and straight forward even as a
frontline politician.
I
personally spoke with the respected Chief on this subject. He told me clearly
that a Reporter from one of the leading News Magazines in the country called to
seek his opinion on the allegation that the former Governor donated the
afore-mentioned sum to a commercial bank.
According
to the Chief, his candid opinion as expressed to the said Reporter was that the
allegation, like many others levelled against Senator Akpabio sounded frivolous
and unbelievable. He opined that it would be more sensible to say a bank
donated money to government and not vice versa as speculated.
He
was however quick to add that the State Government's approach of attempting to
frustrate investigations into these allegations by approaching the courts to
obtain restraining orders against the EFCC tends to lend credence to them.
I
think that's the crux of the argument. How did Mr Aniekan Umana arrive at his
insinuation that Chief Nkpubre originated the allegation?
My
humble plea is that much as we are all in politics, we must learn to respect
those who have paid their dues. If the former Governor or his spokesman found
Chief Nkpubre's opinion that the EFCC should be allowed to do its job
offensive,it would be more dignifying to either call him to seek clarification
or stay on what he said. Making imputations that are uncharacteristic of the
Chief and resorting to name calling cannot help matters.
To
be sure, Chief Nkpubre was merely echoing the voice of every right thinking
Akwa Ibomite. What is the actual motive behind the attempt to evade
investigation if there's nothing to hide?
I
believe with the kind of supposedly wild allegations made against a man who
loves to be seen as a super performer, he and his supporters should even be the
ones inviting the EFCC to scrutinise the books and absolve him once and for
all.
Moreover,it's
very strange that a call for investigation is misconstrued as indictment or
conviction. Investigation and indictment are not co- terminus. Not in Law and
definitely not in every day grammar.
Even
in our traditional societies, when a person is a victim of unsubstantiated
allegations, loved ones would encourage him to take steps to clear his name.
As
a Lawyer, Senator Akpabio knows that the Law cannot fail to protect him. He
knows that if the matter goes to court, the prosecution MUST prove its case
beyond reasonable doubt. And I'm sure he also knows that accountability is part
of leadership.
It's
unfortunate that Aniekan Umana accused Chief Nkpubre of attempting to take his
pound of flesh " because he failed to secure the support and endorsement
of the former Governor on his ill-fated ambition of becoming the Deputy
National Chairman of the party...."
This
is the height of childishness. Do we need to remind Aniekan Umana that Chief
Nkpubre isn't an inordinately ambitious professional politician? To aspire to
move higher in the echelon of the party was natural but he moved on with his
eventful life when it didn't work. Chief Nkpubre might have sought Senator
Akpabio's support in furtherance of his aspiration but he's not the kind of
person who would elevate the former Governor to the status of God by holding
him responsible for whatever was the outcome of that project.The man has seen
enough in life to know that God is the architect of destinies.
As
a keen follower of that exercise, I'm surprised that till today, Mr Aniekan
Umana who claims to have known everything that happened in that administration
hasn't explained why the former Governor traded off the position of Deputy
Chairman which ought to be Akwa Ibom's.
We
are aware that Senator Akpabio fought against Chief Nkpubre because the latter
wouldn't lend himself for use against his own people.
At
least Senator Akpabio took control of the party, endorsed President Goodluck
Jonathan for re-election. The result was the resounding electoral victory of
2015.
Mr
Aniekan Umana should know that just as Senator Akpabio deserves respect, Chief
Nkpubre should be accorded respect due his age, status and contributions to
Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
In
case he doesn't know or has wilfully forgotten, Chief Nkpubre's financial
contributions to the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic
Party(PDP) of which he is a fortuitous beneficiary predated the Akpabio
administration.
So,
he deserves honour due benefactors, fathers, builders, leaders and statesmen.
Omen
Bassey.
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