* This is too confrontational, Eside begs
In furtherance of their quest to produce the next Governor of the state, the traditional leadership of Oro nation on Saturday paid a visit to the Governor Godswill Akpabio’s kinsmen who are leaders of the highest traditional stool in Annang land, the Itai Afe Annang. The meeting took place at the palace of Itai Afe Annang. The Oro delegation was received by the grand monarch of Annang Land Okuku Pius Effiong Eside. Other traditional chiefs from Annang nation amongst clan heads and all the leaders of Itai Afe Annang were in attendance.
The Oro monarchs used the opportunity to cry to their Annang counterparts of marginalization and neglect by their son Godswill Akpabio and also accused the state Chief Executive of total marginalization of Oro nation. They wondered what they must have done wrong against Akpabio that had caused the Essien Udim born politician to desert them in terms of infrastructure, human empowerment and appointment of their sons and daughters into positions of economic importance in the state and beyond.
Traditional leaders of Oro nation a source who attended the meeting informed our reporter were very angry following what they are said to have described as a complete and total rejection of Oro nation by Godswill Akpabio. The Elders are however said to have informed the Annang leaders that Godswill Akpabio for his over seven years leadership of the state have completely failed to impact positively on the lives of Oro People. They are said to have also sought to know what they should do to ensure that the Governor remembers that he was elected as an Akwa Ibom Governor and not as an Annang Governor or a Governor that was asked to come and caused the humiliation of the Oro People.
Speaking further, Oro nation is said to have also informed Itai Afe Annang that they are disappointed with the attitude of Akpabio seven years into office. They said, they were of the opinion that with time Akpabio will change but unfortunately for them, the Governor had failed outright to live up to the expectations of Oro people. They cited instances where they belief Akpabio had failed them to include, human empowerment and development of the people of Oro nation, infrastructural development which they said was an eye sore. They summarized their lamentations by reminding Itai that Godswill Akpabio have failed them and that history will not forgive Akpabio if he does not hand over the keys to the Government House to them come 2015.
The traditional leaders of Oro Nation are said to have also said of all the Governors both military and civilian that have governed the state, the most wicked and unfaithful one to Oro nation is Godswill Akpabio. In conclusion, the leaders of Oro nation are said to have told Itai Afe Annang that if Godswill Akpabio wants to be remembered by Oro nation for good, he should do all he can to dump Udom Emmanuel and pick one of their sons as the next Governor. They expressed disappointment that if the Governor has failed to impact on Oro nation, he should at least cause an Oro man to succeed him by 2015. They however presented an ayei to His Highness Okuku Pius Effiong Eside for onward transfer to their son Godswill Akpabio whom they, Oro nation says should handover 2015 governorship to them.
Responding, the Okuku in Council of Itai Annang, Piuse Eside is said to have spoken with great caution. The traditional monarch of Annang land is said to have told their guests that it was not good for them to be confrontational. So that it would not be seen as the Oro nation are confronting the Annangs for Governorship. He also said he may not be able to see the Governor to deliver their message with the ayei. Okuku Pius Eside also begged the Oro Chiefs to withdraw the ayei which they did. Top traditional chiefs, leaders of Oro Think tank amongst others were said to be in attendance at the said meeting. Some traditional rulers who spoke to THE INK Newspaper on the significance of sending ayei to an individual or institution say it portrays danger and is also diabolic. They reasoned in unison that the act is not only capable of disuniting the state but creating unnecessary frictions amongst the component ethnic groups that constitute the state.
Meanwhile the Oro leaders had mocked the Itai Afe Annang before they returned to their base arguing that at least they are consoled with the fact that the road leading to the Palace of Okuku Pius Eside, the grand monarch of Annang nation is equivalent to the nature of roads in Oro nation were Governor Godswill Akpabio have bluntly refused to attend to.
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