TOROBONG EKPO
It appears the relationship existing between Akpabio boys and Udom Emmanuel team has gone gaga as Forum of Former Aides to Senator Godswill Akpabio recently accused the governor of promoting disparity in the payment of statutory severance to members of the group.
In a communique issued after an enlarged meeting of the forum endorsed by Mr. Udo Silas, Coordinator of the group, Mr. Nsikak Udofia, Secretary, Evangelist Comfort Williams and Mr. Clement Ikpatt, the group fingered some elements in the corridor of power of moving against the approval of payment of severance thereby wondering why the governor should adopt selective approach in the payment of it statutory right.
The forum expressed with dismay that the divide-and-rule approach currently executed by Mr. Udom Emmanuel is contrary to an all inclusive policy of his colleague in Ogun State, who has doled out billions of naira for the payment.
The group wondered why it efforts towards making Udom Emmanuel the governor of the state could be rewarded with an inhuman treatment on the part of the Number one citizen of the state.
While thanking the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Barr. Onofiok Luke for assisting the body, the group disclosed that efforts to proffer solutions to it pleas has so far proved abortive noting that the Special Assistant to the governor has collaborated with Mr Udom Emmanuel with a view of frustrating Akpabio and his boys.
"It is our understanding that the Governor has been variously advised not to pay ‘Akpabio boys’.
"The forum would want to use this opportunity to remind His Excellency that members of this forum worked assiduously to make him governor and do not deserve the inhuman treatment meted out to the forum
"The forum took cognizance of the fact that there may be a deliberate concerted attempt by people close to the governor to willfully mislead the governor on the desirability of meeting this statutory obligation to deserving gentlemen and ladies who served her government with courage and aplomb.
"The forum noted that this divide and rule tactics is totally at variance with the example set by Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state, who about two months ago handed over cheques totaling N1.5 billion to all aides who served the state between 2007-2015, including those who served in the government of Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
"The forum noted that certain categories of former aides have since received their severance payment including His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel.
"Indeed, all aides who resigned to contest elections including Governor Udom Emmanuel received their severance payment promptly.
"We are therefore forced to ask His Excellency Udom Emmanuel why our severance should be kept in abeyance if his has been paid.
"Not wanting to wait till eternity, having waited for the past two years in sadness and neglect, the forum is by this communiqué appealing to government to project the matter of our severance entitlements into the June/July debt service profile of government.
"While we must commend the Hon Speaker for his efforts, the attitude of the SA, to our mind, mirrors the disdain to which the Udom government has treated our mature pleas so far."
The Communique reads in part.The forum called on Akwa Ibom sons and daughters to beg the governor on it behalf and pledged to adopt legal means to achieve it statutory right.
"With the foregoing in mind, the forum identified the need to make a passionate public outcry to the governor, asking all Akwa Ibom sons and daughters to help impress on the Governor, on the immediate imperative to satisfy this statutory obligation especially as the distractions to 2019 continue to multiply
"While the forum resolved to pursue its legitimate demands in a mature and decorous manner, it however resolved to pursue its statutory merit using all known legal and constitutional means should government renege on its part."
It will be recalled that some users of social media had sometimes ago indicted the governor of using his Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyang and few others to promote enmity between Akpabio boys in his led government adding that, they had leaked documents to EFCC for the Senate Minority Leader to be probed and imprisoned.
Pundits however opined that the refusal of the governor to adhere to the statutory right of the group is in line with the alleged battle line which has been drawn between former staff of Akpabio and appointees in Udom Emmanuel led administration.
At press time, the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Mr. Ekerete Udoh promised to get back to the reporter.
"I will get back to you" he pledged.
No comments: