OBA's incarceration: Udom begins face-saving dialogue with stakeholders

*uses Fathers of Faith to beg Royal Fathers, Eminent Elders

Amidst widespread condemnation trailing the manipulated conviction of the gubernatorial candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Akwa Ibom State, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan by the Federal High Court, Uyo, Governor Udom Emmanuel has reportedly initiated a face-saving dialogue with stakeholders to diffuse the tension in the state.

Informed sources said at the weekend that upon the court sentence of Obong Albert, a two-term senator, representing Akwa Ibom North East on Thursday, December 1, 2022, prominent indigenes of the state – home and abroad as well as top government officials and political chieftains across the country, were miffed by the sad development, as they described it as a politically motivated judgement.

Many, it was gathered, were bold to have directly put the blame on Governor Udom Emmanuel on the premise that he allegedly influenced the judgement to get Senator Albert, who is the most popular gubernatorial candidate out of the 2023 race so as to provide an easy ride for his stooge – Pastor Umoh Eno.

Albert is the flag-bearer of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), while Pastor Umo Eno – an hotelier is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A government house source, who pleaded anonymity, said the conviction of Sen. Albert threw Governor Emmanuel into a political eclipse as information was fast to leak into the public domain that the trial judge, Justice Agatha Okeke, had allegedly been a regular occupant of one of the Guest Houses within the prescient of the Governor’s Lodge. 

The source further hinted that she was actually escorted, along with some details from the Government House including the Deputy Governor’s photographer to the Federal High Court which is located at Udo Udoma Avenue to give the controversial judgement. 

“We see her here,  occasionally. She was escorted to the Court on that fateful day, December 1, 2022. She was also after the judgement, escorted out of the state,” the source confided.

The source noted that as early as 7:30am on that fateful day, December 1, 2022, media aides of the governor had started online postings; actually speculating the imprisonment terms of 42 years, whereas Justice Agatha Okeke wasn’t yet in court nor had delivered her judgement.

“What I am telling you is what transpired. The legal team of the Governor “worked” with her. That was why media aides of the governor were privy to the sentence before judgement was delivered. Didn’t you see their online posting as early as 7:30am?” the source added. 

Another source disclosed that with the embarrassing revelations and its adverse effects on his political reputation, Governor Emmanuel reportedly tasked his senior special assistant on religious affairs, Rev (Dr.) Daniel Akwatang to mobilize league of religious leaders to help him out of the precarious situation.  

As at Saturday, Fathers of Faith had started reaching out to Paramount Rulers and eminent citizens of the state all in a bid to exonerate the governor from having a hand in the sentence. 

According to the sources, the government is worried that the incarceration which was intended to tarnish the image of Senator Albert, and bring his reputation to the lowest ebb has instead made him more popular across party lines in the state and beyond.

As part of the image management strategy, government wants to disabuse the minds of elders, traditional rulers, groups and Christian bodies and to mobilize some of them to issue public statements on the matter in a bid to douse tension and muster support for the governor.

 “I can tell you that consultations are going on. Some of the groups will be made to issue press statements, which are already written by hawks in government. The court sentence has come with a big backlash against the governor and his administration. 

 “His popularity has diminished. The acceptability of his candidate has also plummeted. If election is done today, I doubt if Umo Eno will get anywhere not to talk of winning, despite the huge finances of the state pumped into funding his campaigns,” another source added.

It was also learnt that the confirmation by the Presidency of payments of the 13 % derivation refunds and other payments, running into billions of naira to Niger Delta States with Akwa Ibom State as a major recipient,  has further heighten angst in the state against Gov Emmanuel, who had hitherto denied ever collecting any of “such money.” 

“I think this is not the best of time for Governor Udom Emmanuel. The demand for accountability is intensifying. The amounts that have accrued to Akwa Ibom State without being disclosed by him are huge. The citizens are eager to know the accruals as his projects and impacts have not measured up,” the source added.  

It was gathered that the state governor has been advised to also make public broadcast on the development in the state soon after the various levels of consultations with stakeholders.