Big Crisis Rocks Akpabio's House

Last Saturday unwarranted attack on the member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency at the AKHA Hon. Onofiok Luke by Emmanuel Ekon who represents Abak/Ika/ Etim Ekpo Federal Constituency and Hon. Nse Ntuen, the chairman of Essien Udim who is also the ALGON chairman has created serious ripples in the larger Akpabio political cycles with some pundits calling on punitive measures on Nse Ntuen and Emmanuel Ekon.

 

Governor Godswill Akpabio has also been accused of orchestrating the plot that led to the attack on Hon. Luke. Although there were some efforts made by the Governor to calm frayed nerves thereafter, THE INK reporter learnt that the peace move failed flat due to what over 85% of the Akwa Ibom lawmakers described as affront on their Nsit Ubium born colleague.

Aggrieved House members are said to have told the governor that no matter how hard he tries, he can never exonerate himself from the attack of the member of Nsit Ubuim State Constituency.

THE INK gathered that after the first failed attempt to reconcile warring factions, the second also collapsed flat as the contending factors refused to honour Akpabio’s second invitation with an excuse that the Governor is a traitor and backstabber. Some Assembly men who volunteered information to our reporter observed that the House of Assembly has been reduced to a play ground by the actions of Akpabio.

They argued also that Nse Ntuen has no reason whatsoever to have attacked Onofiok Luke and Victor Udofia. One of the Assembly men asked who Nse Ntuen feels he is that he shouted that victor Udofia should be suspended from the House. It could be recalled that while Emmanuel Ekon and Nse Ntuen rough handled Onofiok Luke, the Governor failed to step into the matter and is said to have signaled that the team follows him. 

As matters stand now, the Akpabio political enclave have been sharply divided with major stakeholders claiming that it is time to confront Governor Akpabio with the naked truth. A strong member of the i-11 team while in a discussion with our correspondent described Akpabio’s hidden plot against Onofiok as an affront on the structure that gave him power. Our source queried where Nse Ntuen and Emmanuel Ekon was when Luke and some other members of I-11 were fighting to ensure that Akpabio emerges Governor in 2007. They however asked the governor to speedily with immediate effect caused Ekon and Ntuen to tender and apology to Onofiok and the i-11 team as well as the House of Assembly  otherwise they will be left with no other option than to take vengeance any time any day and at anywhere.

THE GENESIS OF THE TROUBLE

 THE INK investigations reveal that the attack on Hon. Luke was a deliberate set up by the Akpabio forces to hit the Nsit Ubium lawmaker. It all started during last Thursday executive session at AKHA which almost degenerated into fisticuffs and saw Victor Udofia of Ikono hiting Aniekan Akpan of Ukanafun. All members president are said to have appealed, begged and apologized to Aniekan Akpan and the house however resolved that the fisticuffs should not be let out to the public. However, the information is said to have leaked to the governor’s ears who last Saturday at the burial ceremony of the mother –in- law of Hon. Gabriel Tobby of Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency had asked what happened at that executive session.

As the burial went to a conclusion, the Governor is said to have queried Ekong Sampson of Mkpat Enin State Constituency  and Godwin Oton Charlie of Onna State Constituency if Victor  Udofia had hit Aniekan Akpan.

Following the agreement the House had not to spill the information, both men responded that nothing of such happened. The governor then proceeded to Onofiok Luke with the same question and the Nsit Ubium born lawmaker responded in support of his colleagues.

It was at this point that trouble started and Nse Ntuen and Emmanuel Ekon were directed to manhandle Onofiok Luke. 

Meanwhile reports monitored indicates that the Governor’s wife, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio is bittered over the assault of Onofiok Luke and is said to have expressed anger over the attack from ALGON boss and the National Assembly man. Those close to the Governor’s wife said the First Lady was sad and had insisted that every issue should have been resolved at home without the exchange of fisticuffs. The First Lady our reporter learnt is angry with the situation of things and is doing her best to resolve the impasse.