A frontline statesman and politician, Ar chitect Ezekiel Nya-Etok has called for caution in the wild claims by persons that paint Akwa Ibom state in bad light before the international community.
Arc. Ezekiel who made the call during an interactive chat with newsmen in Uyo decried what he observed as over exaggerated claims by some aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress that there was widespread violence during the 2015 General Elections in the state.
The Akwa Ibom born architect popularly known as Mr Social Housing in Nigeria and beyond, lamented that, when citizens take to the pages of newspaper to whip-up sentiments and portray the state in bad light, the negative effect scares away investors and therefore much needed development in the state.
While acknowledging that, there were issues in a few places during the said elections in Akwa Ibom, Nya-Etok maintained that, they are not significant enough to overplay as if the state descended into anarchy.
While acknowledging that, there were issues in a few places during the said elections in Akwa Ibom, Nya-Etok maintained that, they are not significant enough to overplay as if the state descended into anarchy.
He argued that, President Muhammadu Buhari has said before various international media that the 2015 elections, which also produced him, was largely free and fair and that, such assessment equally applied to Akwa Ibom state.
Nya-etok further noted that, in this era when there is a dire need for an alternate economy given the dwindling fortunes of the oil based economy, a conducive environment that attracts people to come and do business becomes imperative. He explained that, any act of discouragement of outsiders, national or international with the propaganda of crisis in Akwa Ibom is a disservice to the state.
In his words, “No matter the political divide we belong to, we must tell the world Akwa ibom is safe, peaceful and inviting.”
While admitting the right of the APC governorship candidate, Obong Umanah Okon Umanah to pursue redress over election dispute at the Election Petitions Tribunal, he charged him and others to do so without compromising the reputation of the state as the most peaceful in the Niger Delta.
On why he supported Mr Udom Emmanuel to emerge as governor, Nya-Etok, argued that, he rooted for Udom out of personal conviction and not on the basis of friendship. According to him, “Udom was never my friend but because I owe Akwa Ibom State the duty of presenting somebody I believed in and not somebody I liked. If I wanted to back a friend, I would have backed the APC candidate, Umana Umana who has done me personal favours.”
He added that, “The only thing is that, if we are looking for a goal keeper, I will go for Vincent Enyeama and not Lionel Messi. So I went for Udom because I believed as an investment banker of international standing, he has all it takes to attract investments to the state, industrialize , and build the alternative economy we crave.”
Nya-etok expressed optimism that, in addition to enhancing human capital development and attracting investment, Udom, who had grown through a corporate world, could drive and reposition the state through corporate best practices. He insisted that Government has never been the biggest employer of labour, but that Industrialisation and investment will multiply employment opportunities and accordingly urged Akwa Ibom people to support Governor Emmanuel to succeed
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