Date Published: 04/01/10

Sir,

Akwa Ibom Gov's penchant for intolerance

In January 2008, Governor Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, ordered Policemen to brutalized Mr. Essien Ewoh, a distributor (in Uyo) ofAbuja-based Fresh Facts newspaper. Essien was later charged to court for sedition. In addition, the Abuja head-office of the media house was visited; turned upside down, its Chairman, Editorial Board, Mr. Sam Asowata assaulted, his daughter, Isokwe, manhandled by a contingent of Policemen that travelled all the way from Uyo to Abuja. He was driven all night and the next day charged to Uyo Court on sedition charges because Fresh Facts newspaper promoted yet-to-be-published story which was not in good taste to the governor.  

Now, the Akwa Ibom State governor has initiated similar action against a 75-year elder statesman who is a former Federal House member, Hon Effiong Okponokpono, because of his advertorial entitled entitled “QUESTIONS FOR GOVERNOR (BARR) GODSWILL AKPABIO” published in The Nation newspaper of 25/03/10.

Later that day the Police picked him up and the next day charged him before a Magistrate Court on sedition charges. The sickly old man on wheel-chair is remanded in prison custody till 14/05/10 when the matter has been adjourned. This is like the dreaded Russian’s Stalin style.

Effiong’s advertorial advised the government to stop sponsoring cult groups like AKPF, ADV, GSM, etc considered inimical to the people. It looks like everybody is cowed there, unlike in Edo where our governor is accommodating.

For taking a 75-year elder statesman like Hon Effiong Okponokpono to court and refusing him bail in a bail-able offence (as reported in Sunday Punch 29/03/10) shows that the governor is insensitive and prefers the crude and uncivilized action meted at him at This Day Peace Concert held at Uyo Stadium 22/12/09, where pure water sachets and canned drinks were reportedly hauled at him. Ironically, the same Peace Concert took place in Benin and if you read the New Nigeria of 4/01/10, you need to see how Oshionmole took over the microphone and sang to the admiration of the cheering crowd at the Benin Stadium.

Chief Barnabas Osuanlele,

       189 Ikpoba Road,

              Benin City   

barnabasosuanlele@yahoo.com