Usoro Akpanusoh and the begging questions
Ibanga Gosple
Writing with the above caption and published in several online platforms, on April 8, 2018, with the cardinal objective and calculated attempt to intimidate, cause panic, ridicule, and smear the image and reputation of ENOBONG HARRY, the State Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party – PDP, the writer of the error-ridden article and his paymasters have goofed and misfired as their antics and ill intention(s) have been revealed.
While some persons may be excused for ignoring publications such as the one in question for several reasons, it is equally pertinent to try as much as possible to refute false publication especially, when the person(s) lampooned is trusted with public office, loved by his people and is determined to change leadership narratives in order to assuage the excruciating torture caused his people by tyrants in public offices and restore hope.
We would not have responded to the article, but for the benefit of the good people of Esit Eket Local Government Area and the general public, we are constrained to responding to the plethora of hatred infused in the minds of the writer and his paid agents directed at Enobong Harry. This unpopular attempt to intimidate the much cherished Harry if not refuted could create wrong impression in the minds of the general public about the person of Mr. Harry.
For those who are familiar with politicking, especially in this part of the world, you will agree with us that blackmail, falsehood, character assassination and mudslinging have found a comfortable place in the political space of Akwa Ibom State. And I think it will be safer to say that politics of blackmail has been ‘legalized’ in our clime and has become a major source of revenue generation to many political jobbers.
The writer of the article while struggling to pen down the falsehood told him by his pay master(s), claimed “a chieftain and founder of the party in Esit Eket, who is a strong supporter of Governor Udom Emmanuel, has said there was an urgent need for the governor and the state Chairman of the party to save democracy and call him (Enobong Harry) to order”. This I must say is a display of insincerity and the height of infantilism by the originator(s) of the story. Their action is occasioned by hatred and insecurity following the resolve by Mr. Harry to seek election into the State House, come 2019.
The insincerity embedded in the said story has provoked the following questions:
1. Who is that ‘Chieftain and founder of the party in Esit Eket’ that does not have a name or want his name in print?
2. Is the ‘Chieftain’ scared of Harry that made him withhold his name from the publication?
3. Why is the political ambition of a faithful party man seen as “an outright quest to fan ‘amber’ of disunity, disaffection and acrimony” as suggested by the writer?
It is quite unfortunate that the member representing Esit Eket State Constituency in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Dr. Usoro Akpanusoh, without mincing words, is alleged to be the brain behind this sponsored media attack on Enobong Harry. It is important to state that since Akpanusoh has decided to stir animosity between himself, the good people of Esit Eket and Enobong Harry, a political battle line has been drawn with battle field designed to take place in various Media platforms as initiated by him.
It is important we put records in its proper perspective. First, Mr. Enobong Harry is a Nigerian residing in Nigeria. He is a faithful member of the PDP, who has served the party diligently and is eminently qualified to vie for any political office he so desire under the constitution of the party and of course, Nigeria.
While the writer insinuated that Enobong Harry is not qualified, stating zoning as a yardstick, he ignorantly failed in his attempt to calculate the political precedence in Esit Eket. While Enobong Harry is from Zone ‘A’, a zone yet to produce a State House Member from inception, Akpanusoh’s ward alone in zone B has produced 4 out of the 5 state House Members ever produced from Esit Eket.
The writer, in his myopic and lopsided submission in an attempt to make a point, noted that the present Chairman of Esit Eket, Hon. Iniobong Robson, comes from Harry’s zone. However, his elementary History memory failed him woefully as he forgot that in 2012, while Hon. Ibanga Etang from zone ‘C’ was the Council Chairman of Esit Eket, Mr. Dan Bassey Abia Jnr from the same zone ‘C’ represented the area in the Green Chambers of the National Assembly. In the same breath, Mr. Dan Bassey Abia Snr, held sway as the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission – NDDC.
At present we have the following political standing from zone ‘B’.
Dr. Usoro Akpanusoh, AKHA – zone B
Mr. Felix Udo, current Esit Eket Council Secretary – zone B
Pastor Williams, SA to the Governor on project monitoring – zone B
Late Ikemesit Ikot(now replaced by the wife) SA to the Governor on Project Monitoring – zone B
Isaiah Abia, SA to the Governor – zone B
Danas Akpanusoh, the younger brother to Dr. Akpanusoh is a PDP Chapter Treasurer also from zone B
Other past leaders from zone ‘B’ who have served in the State House of Assembly are: Frank Eyo and Victor Inua Essiet.
Having insightfully and historically portrayed the positions occupied by the people of zone C and presently by zone B, it becomes ideal to reason that the incoming political era, 2019 to 2023 should be planned and arranged such that it benefits zone ‘A’, for justice, equity and fair play to be realized. The Governor has on several fora made it abundantly clear that he is a product of zoning and that zoning MUST be respected in 2019.
With this firmed stand by Governor Emmanuel who is the leader of the party in AKS, Akpanusoh and his likes should allow justice to prevail in Esit Eket by supporting and respecting the zoning arrangement for peace to be achieved in the area. Remember, the absence of war does not mean peace. It is the presence of justice that portrays peace.
Still on the strength of the alleged media attack by Dr. Usoro Akpanusoh on Enobong Harry, it is laughable for the Lawmaker to attempt to cajole the Governor and the Chairman of the party by suggesting that the Party Youth Leader do not wish the Governor and the PDP well. This claim has clearly forced out pertinent questions from true supporters of Gov. Udom Emmanuel and the PDP members.
Akpanusoh should provide answers to the below posers:
1. Is Dr. Akpanusoh now more Catholic than the Pope, when his political affinity and romance with the opposition elements in the state is no longer a hidden affair?
2. Has Dr. Akpanusoh finished the execution of contracts awarded him by the NDDC under Nsima Ekere, through his political mentor, Barr. Dan Abia?
3. Dr. Akpanusoh should deny the fact that the items, especially the speed boats donated to his constituents during his recent Constituency briefing and Empowerment were not sponsored by NDDC.
4. Akpanusoh should explain why APC faithful flooded his constituency briefing and empowerment ground when the event was designed to be a PDP event, since he rode on the back of the party to the State House. Such anti party activity during the recent constituency briefing may have provoked the gods of the land to anger, which triggered the collapse of the stage when he rose to give his speech.
5. Should Akpanusoh attempt to deny his affinity and romance with APC, he should explain to Akwa Ibomites why he attended the last AKISAN event in the United States, when every other PDP members, including the Governor boycotted the event. It was clearly an effort to impress his pay masters, especially Nsima Ekere, who was honoured with an award during the event.
6. Can Akpanusoh also deny the fact that he attended the Thanksgiving service organised for Nsima Ekere, at Ikot Abasi following the latter’s appointment as the Managing Director of NDDC, where he played a very prominent role?
7. We equally demand an explanation from the Lawmaker why in December 28, 2017, he held a political meeting at the residence of Mr. J. Osubok, an APC chieftain in Ewet Housing Estate, where he donated a life Cow, several bags of rice and a cash of N500,000. At the said meeting, sources who were present confirmed that another APC chieftain, Bassey Itauma, lambasted Governor Udom Emmanuel, while Akpanusoh only watched in limbo.
8. If Akpanusoh could attempt to deny other questions raised, can he also deny the meeting he had with Nsima Ekere, Bassey Dan Abia and Ibanga Etang on Thursday March 29, 2018, at Ewet Housing Estate, the home of the NDDC MD, at about 11 pm?
9. Akpanusoh should remind us when he ever convened a political meeting in support of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s re election since he was elected into the State Assembly. Rather, he goes about attending and convening nocturnal meetings aimed at frustrating Governor Emmanuel second term bid. He now wants us to believe that he is in support of the governor’s second term bid by building a billboard with the governor’s image alongside his, during his recent constituency briefing. Akpanusoh can not fool all the people all the time.
While Akpanusoh is expected to provide answers to the above very important questions, he should endeavour to also respond to the open letter recently sent to him by his Personal Assistant, Brain Imossan, where he was described as “Egoistic, Selfish and a greedy politician”. The said letter sincerely and emblematically captures the man, Usoro Akpanusoh.
When a man’s aide who should naturally speak well of the master under normal circumstances decide to draw a media battle line with his boss, such should not be taken lightly. A cursory analysis of the issues raised in the aide’s letter reveals the political inconsistencies, double mindedness, incapacity and egotistic nature of Usoro Akpanusoh. These are characteristics unexpected of one who represents a people and enjoys their mandate. Quite unfortunate!
Like a drowning man, Akpanusoh, who has been heavily criticised by Akwa Ibom people for sponsoring ‘Property Bill’ recently on the floor of the House, a Bill described by many as Anti people, is working tirelessly to repair his already battered image in the public, and any perceived opposition to his second term bid, is seen as ‘infantile’ and an ‘ego-bloated House of Assembly ambitionist’, in his description of Harry.
Governor Udom Emmanuel is a very intelligent and smart person, who is not moved by blackmails. And like the biblical narrative; “My Sheep hear my voice and follow me, and I know them by name”. Governor Udom Emmanuel knows his sincere followers. He knows their names and can identify their voices.
Akpanusoh’s attempt to pitch this young dynamic leader with the leadership of the state is simply an attempt that is dead on arrival. The position Akpanusoh presently occupies is not his birthright and can be challenged by anyone, including Comrade. Enobong Harry.
We therefore call on all to disregard the article, as the issues raised therein is politically motivated by political foes of Enobong Harry, who are bent on pulling him down.
We are not unaware that more blackmails and lampoons will be published to attempt to intimidate Harry, however, one thing is certain, whom God has blessed no one can cursed. Enobong Harry is a blessed man. He is determined to bring the desired change his people have been craving for over the years, and the time is now!
