Information available to our newsdesk indicatesthat the state Governor Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel has been put into very serious pressure on the status of Akwa Ibom State University by the former Governor of the state, Arch. Obong Victor Udo Adiaha Bassey Attah.
The former Governor, our reporter understands wants Governor Emmanuel to return the institution to her founding idea of a University of Science and Technology. This, it is believe will make the Ibesikpo Asutan born Architect consider supporting the second term ambition of Governor Udom Emmanuel in 2019.
Arch. Obong Victor Attah THE INK was told had informed the State Governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel that he cannot get his support if he cannot meet some conditions he has given to him.
One of the conditions those close to Udom said is that the State Governor should return Akwa Ibom State University to the status of a Science and Technology Institution.
THE INK can report on grounds of authority that Governor Udom Emmanuel as part of efforts to reintegrate Obong Attah into the scheme of things have been meeting with the former leader of Akwa Ibom government and parts of the discussions have always been Ex Governor Attah’s support for the State Governor ahead of 2019 governorship elections.
Inside men in the camps of both leaders say the meeting between the duo have always been quite successful and that Obong Attah have always spared no seconds in commending the leadership skills of Governor Udom Emmanuel even in the face of crushing economic depression the country is witnessing.
Our reporter was informed that one thing Ex Governor Attah mentioned to Udom Emmanuel was that the Governor should do everything he can to return AKSU to the idea (he Attah) wanted the school to become, an institution of Science and Technology.
This demand by Obong Attah close cabinet members to Udom say has really unsettled the Governor as the Akwa Ibom CEO is said to be in a dilemma over such demands.
Apart from mentioning this to Udom, Obong Attah has not hidden his anger on Akpabio as he kept referring to his immediate successor as a man that came to governance and then attempted to destroy all his legacies such as the Ibom Science Park and Akwa Ibom State University of Science and Technology which Akpabio converted to Akwa Ibom State University.
In a recent interview published across the state, Obong Attah had emphatically stated that Godswill Akpabio had tried to bring down all his legacies, apparently referring to Akwa Ibom State University of Science and Technology which he Akpabio has since turned to Akwa Ibom State University as one of them.
A government House source who spoke to our reporter while pleading not to be mentioned in print said the State Chief Executive had initially wanted to key into the demand by Attah but had to retract his move since the return of AKSU to Akwa Ibom State University of Science and Technology may appear to be placing the Annangs in a disadvantage state. Especially as the three Faculties in Obio Akpa, Oruk Anam Local Government Area will not be considered in the University of Science and Technology.
Informed lecturers in AKSU, Obio Akpa Campus told our newsdesk that such move will put the Akwa Ibom State Governor in bad light as the three faculties in Obio Akpa campus would not benefit from the Science and Technology Status the institution may attain. But others argue that faculty of Agriculture may even be returned to her earlier status of College of Agriculture Obio Akpa.
Some Annang leaders of thought when our reporter spoke with them at different fora said, Governor Udom Emmanuel will have to ignore Attah’s demand on AKSU as his ceding to the former Governor’s wish on AKSU would make them turn their back on him in 2019.
Annang leaders said, the Government of Akwa Ibom State cannot because of politics scrap Obio Akpa Campus of AKSU. They opined that their argument is based on the fact that if AKSU is returned to AKSUST, it therefore means that the economic advantage of having a University in Abak/ Oruk Anam axis where AKSU, Obio Akpa Campus is currently situating will fall.
They maintained that they are watching keenly the argument on the institution and that if Governor Udom Emmanuel listens to counsels of scrapping Obio Akpa Campus, that they will show their anger.
One of them a retired University Don said “My brother from THE INK, we in Annang nation have heard of the move to scrap AKSU Obio Akpa Campus and then put concentration in Ikot Akpaden Campus in Mkpat Enin LGA, we are watching very keenly and any move by the Governor to do that will be stoutly rejected by us. We do not want to be victims in our own state. By the way why should politics be played with University Education? Udom our in-law should not try that. If he does we will revolt”.
Another prominent Annang son who spoke to THE INK is a professor in AKSU. Since he is a Civil Servant, the University Don pleaded anonymity. He said, Governor Udom Emmanuel had better watch the kind of Counsels he take as Annang people cannot allow the scrapping of Obio Akpa campus of AKSU. He said, he is speaking the mind of Annang Liberty Voice. The University Don Said, “we in Annang land are watching to see what the Governor will do about it. Whether he will concede and offend the Annangs his in-law or allow status quo to remain, we are watching”.
Speaking further, the erudite Professor said, the Annangs would want Governor Emmanuel to allow the status quo remain as anything on the contrary will put Udom in bad light and has all the trappings of spoiling 2019 show for the Governor.
Speaking on the matter on phone with our reporter, the Vice Chancellor of AKSU Professor Eno Ibanga said, he has heard of a certain meeting on such matter but that neither himself nor the management of the institution has been briefed on the said scrapping of AKSU, Obio Akpa Campus.
The AKSU VC said further that he has no document to that effect and that the matter is a state Government matter. He however stated that such moves will come from government quarters and that whenever they get memo to that effect, they in AKSU will treat it accordingly.
Senior Special Assistant on media and Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Mr. Ekerette Udoh while commenting on the matter said there is no truth in the claim by the Annangs that there is a plot to scrap AKSU Obio Akpa Campus.
Udoh in a reply to an SMS sent described the allegations as logically inane. In his response via SMS and delivered early morning of yesterday to our newsroom, Ekerette Udoh said, “Nsibiet, some stories should just be ignored because of the obtuse and idiotic connotations they provoke and attempt to invoke. There is no truth to this logically inane story. I don’t wish to dignify the nonsense. Thank you”.
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