* Alleges ethnic bias
The Ibibio Front, a sociopolitical group in Akwa Ibom State, has alleged that Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, is behind a recent petition submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Governor Udom Emmanuel.
The group described the petition as a continuation of Akpabio’s purported efforts to undermine the Ibibio ethnic group. Akpabio is of the Anang ethnic stock.
The petition, authored by the anti-graft organization, Network Against Corruption and Trafficking accuses Emmanuel of “wanton corruption and embezzlement” during his eight-year tenure.
Signed by NACAT’s Operational Manager, Stanley Ugabe, the 28-page document, dated January 21, 2025, alleges that over N700 billion remains unaccounted for and calls for a thorough investigation by the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
Reacting to the development, the Ibibio Front issued a strongly-worded statement on January 23, titled: “A Petition Against Mr. Udom Emmanuel to the EFCC is Senator Akpabio’s Continued Annihilation of the Ibibio People”. The statement, signed by the group’s spokesperson, Akparawa Nelson Etim, accused Akpabio of masterminding the petition to discredit Udom Emmanuel and advance his political agenda.
The group alleged, “These individuals are acting out a script written by their paymaster, Senator Akpabio, who has consistently sought to diminish the Ibibio people. Akpabio’s tenure as governor was marked by a determination to bring the majority ethnic group to parity with minority groups in the state.”
The Ibibio Front further accused Akpabio of a history of targeting prominent Ibibio politicians, citing instances where he allegedly undermined political figures like Obong Victor Attah, Ambassador Sam Edem, and others during his time as governor.
The statement also claimed that Akpabio’s ambition to install an All Progressives Congress (APC) governor in Akwa Ibom State by 2027 is the driving force behind the petition against Emmanuel.
It alleged that Akpabio seeks to tarnish Emmanuel’s reputation to weaken his influence and pave the way for an APC takeover in the state.
“The petition against Mr. Udom Emmanuel is merely a smokescreen to divert attention from Akpabio’s actual agenda,” the statement read, adding that Emmanuel had a clean record as governor and was instrumental in blocking EFCC investigations into Akpabio’s alleged financial improprieties.
The group concluded by calling on Ibibio stakeholders to stand in solidarity with Emmanuel and resist any attempts to undermine the Ibibio people.
It also warned Akpabio to desist from further attacks, either directly or through proxies, on prominent Ibibio figures.