As the whole nation is fixated on Akwa Ibom state in anticipation of the verdict of the Court of Appeal on the judgment of the Election Tribunal, many see it as the fate of Governor Emmanuel Udom is on the balance, but it is more of the fate and destiny of Akwa Ibom state and its people on the balance.
The desperation of the All Progressive Congress has redefined a new height of desperation which has also brought the judiciary to disrepute, and this is so unhealthy for our democracy.
Sahara Reporters, an online media outfit which has never hidden it affiliation to the APC and which also serves as the party’s propaganda agent some few days ago broke a news that the Appeal Court gave a pronouncement nullifying the election of Senator Akpabio, the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State. This piece of news turned out to be false and just some twenty-four (24) hours ago, the same outfit reported that the Governor Emmanuel Udom is desperate to bribe the Appeal Court Justices in a bid to “buy” a favourable judgement.
I think it is high time Sahara Reporters is made to realize it is guilty of subjudice as aforementioned matter is before a court of law, or a judge and under judicial consideration
It is evident these are aimed at testing the waters, gauging and shaping public’s perception towards an acceptance of their (APC) sinister plot to compromise the judiciary either willingly or forcefully through cheap blackmail.
A practise that can surely erode citizenry confidence and trust in the Judiciary and its (judiciary) integrity.
I am of a strong conviction that the APC is blackmailing and dragging the judiciary to disrepute to have a solid ground and a pedestal to build its outcry if the pronouncement of the Appeal Court does not go in its favour.
I find the recent reportage by Sahara Reporters, quite laughable in the light of Governor Udom’s sterling performance which is a direct reflection of his qualities, and the good leadership Governor Emmanuel Udom has offered the good people of Akwa Ibom. No doubt they will want him again and again. Who wouldn’t after all in our local parlance… who no want better thing?
Who will not want to have a man with such an enviable credentials and track records as the Governor of his/her state?.
A man who could move the state forward with such profound sense of duty, dedication and sincerity of purpose.
If the APC could say Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is the best thing that can and will ever happen to Lagos state because he attended University of Lagos, studied Accounting, graduated at the age of 21, and because he has a Masters degree in Accounting and a also a Chartered Accountant, I am left wondering how we will describe Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom state.
Unlike Governor Akinwunmi Ambode who was in a monotonous and non-challenging environment, Governor Emmanuel Udom served as an audit manager of Price Waterhouse Coopers. He is as an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. He served as Chief Financial Officer of Zenith Bank Plc.
Governor Emmanuel Udom also served as Group Head of Income Optimization, Financial Control & Strategic Planning Department at Zenith Bank.
In 1996, he joined Zenith Bank from Diamond Bank Limited served as General Manager of Zenith Bank Plc and he was the pioneer manager of its Lagos Central Branch.
He was in charge of the Telecommunications Sector, Income Optimization and Financial & Strategic Planning Group of Zenith Bank Plc.
He has over seventeen years financial services experience. He served as an Executive Director of Zenith Bank Plc.
All these he brought to bear when on assumption into office, Akwa Ibom state was owing over N500 billion to both banks and contractors, Governor Emmanuel Udom took advantage of the Federal Government bailout window to restructure his killer debts and reduced them to N400million a month from a crippling N3 billion monthly.
While many residents of most of the 36 states are yearning for dividends of good governance, and complaining of ineffectual leadership, in just 100 days in office, Governor Emmanuel Udom either executed, completed or initiated laudable projects which includes the dualization of 19.7 km Uyo – Etinan road; construction of 39.4 km Etinan – Ndon Eyo road with 2 number bridges and spur; construction of the 2nd runway at the Akwa Ibom international airport; attainment of 18 hours daily electricity supply; construction of the Ibaka Deep Seaport in progress; commencement of the design work of the ground/first floor at the Ibom Tropicana Entertainment complex, Uyo; commencement of the furnishing of the Ibom Tropicana complex; payment of 10 years’ arrears of pensions and gratuities to primary school teachers and local government employees; rehabilitation of the Peacock Paints in Etinan.
So incontrovertible are these projects that all the opposition could bring to fore as fault is ‘disregard for due process’.
To an average Akwa Ibomite, he sees good roads, improved health care, and feels the direct impact of government in his neighbourhood, “regard for due process” is nothing but verbosity to him and as my Northern friends will say.. “ ka cika turanci da yawa”. “you speak too much English”
With all I have highlighted above, Governor Emmanuel Udom is the darling bride everyone and anyone in Akwa Ibom will want to have and keep, he is one who has affected them more positively than any other governor I dare say. He is the one who has demonstrated the goodwill to take them to the land of Eldorado.
To me, it is not Governor Udom who has a date to keep with destiny, but the good people of Akwa Ibom state…
A destiny they need to pray and guard jealously….
I rest my case.
Charles Effiong
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