Date Published: 10/18/09
Dear Sir,
Why does Gov Akpabio pick all manner of publicity bills
For both good and bad, Governor Akpabio remains the most publicized governor among the 36 in the federation. And he pays handsomely for this. It is alleged that he was that governor, as reported by Nigerian Tribune not too long ago, that confessed to one of his aides that she runs out of his State often after discovering that he spends about N1.2billion monthly greasing the palms of party chieftains, presidential aides, traditional rulers, members of the State/National Legislators and the media?
People were quick to say that he must have been involved so for reason of second term endorsements. But his admirers are saying that Akpabio does not need all that to come back the second time. He has done great things for Akwa Ibom; completing about 3000 projects within 900 days in office, translating to about 3 projects average, per day. Those on the other side of the divide are not convinced and are asking that those projects should be named and their locations specified. But personally, I know that since governance is a continuum, Akpabio has improved on the landmark projects started by his predecessor and completed the airport/hangar, which witnessed the first plane landing there on September 23 rd 2009.
By so spending extravagantly on publicity, a friend of mind says he has enriched his aides, one of who is said to have built a house in highbrow Ewet Housing Estate in Uyo, one in his village in Eket area and one at his former station in Ikorodu-Lagos and lined up luxury cars within two years in office. One of Akpabio’s aides commented that morally, the governor is not well positioned to make noise about such discovery.
Granted an opportunity I would advise Governor Akpabio against unnecessary publicity and seeking of endorsements because it rather portrays some desperation, which I do not think, should be his portion. Only good works can earn him a second term.
Kenneth Abimbola
Plot 15, 23 Road
AGIP Estate
Port Harcourt
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