Date Published: 01/08/10

Dear Editor,

UYO CONCERT: Akpabio May Have Restrained Self

But for the public’s perceived bad and “Idi Amin-style” status, which Governor Akpabio seems to have attracted to himself because of some past avoidable mistakes, the security operatives with him would have shot at the many directions from where the water sachets and canned drinks were hauled at him during the ThisDay Peace Concert held in Uyo Sunday 20/12/09. 

It will be recalled that Akpabio had visited brutality on the Fresh Facts newspaper agent in Uyo last year and further ordered the Police from his State command to Abuja to ransack the office of the media house and the Chairman Editorial Board, Mr. Asewota beaten to pulp just like the Uyo agent. Asewota’s daughter was assaulted in the process, before he was ‘kidnapped’ and driven all night by road to Uyo where he was detained and case brought against him in court there “for trying to commit a treasonable offence”. The Fresh Facts Publisher, Mr. Abrams, had (also) few months ago complained in a letter to the former IGP that Akpabio’s agent have continued to threaten him through one of his Personal Assistants who was serving NYSC scheme in Ebonyi State and was receiving salary both ways.

Recently, a young Barrister Ekpenyong had written an open letter to President Yar’Adua (published in the National Life of 12/12/09) alerting him of the continued threat to his life and according to the letter “Governor Akpabio’s evil empire”. It will be recalled also that the Lady of Songs, Christy Essien Igbokwe (MFR), who many believe played positive roles in Governor Akpabio’s life, has a probable pending report which she made to the Inspector General of Police wherein she complained of continued threat to her life and that of her family members and business by Akpabio and his government.

I strongly suspect that it was in view of all the above that Akpabio restrained self at the Uyo Stadium episode where he mounted the stage to announce to the hearing of the frenzy concert crowd that he paid out N140million of State’s fund for the show that did not benefit any of the Akwa Ibom musical idols abound.

Nevertheless unconfirmed reports said that an out-rider to the governor’s convoy allegedly hit and killed a person on their way rushing out of the venue and that one of the governor’s Personal Assistants is lying critically in hospital as a result of knife injury he sustained.  

Dr. Taribo Opuaya

388 Aba Road, Port Harcourt

Rivers State