The Delusional Unity Sermon at Akwa Ibom Anniversary Worship Service
Emmanuel Etim
The 37th-anniversary worship service, a gathering meant to celebrate Akwa Ibom’s enduring progress under divine favour, was nearly overshadowed by political rhetorics. The event, which should have been a solemn reflection of God’s goodness, saw some individuals using the platform to air grievances and make divisive remarks, instead of fostering unity and thanksgiving.
Public discourse, especially at gatherings of such importance, demands a careful understanding of rhetoric. Leaders must recognize the weight of their words, particularly in sacred spaces. Rhetoric, when used skillfully, persuades and unites. However, when misused, it can incite discord and divide. The essence of rhetoric should always be to inform, motivate, and uplift—values which seemed lost on some during this occasion.
One of the highlights was the speech by the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obong Ekperikpe Ekpo, who made pointed accusations against former Governor Udom Emmanuel. He alluded that Udom refused to invite his predecessor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to state functions during his tenure, because he was angered by Akpabio’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ekpo further advised Governor Umo Eno to organize a reconciliation dinner for the trio of Akpabio, Udom Emmanuel, and himself.
As Ekpo concluded, Senator Akpabio’s wife, Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, took to the stage, offering praise to former Governor Obong Victor Attah, acknowledging him as the father of modern Akwa Ibom. She claimed to always pray for him, a statement that sparked memories of the antagonism, bigotry and jaundice biles against Attah by her and her husband.
Many attendees, however, could not forget how Akpabio, during his tenure as Governor, maligned Attah. From withholding entitlements to restricting access to state resources, Akpabio ensured that Attah was sidelined from many key events and decisions. He denied Attah access to the Ibom Golf Resort, when he wanted to use the facility to celebrate his 70th birthday. Even during the inauguration of the Akwa Ibom International Airport, a project initiated by Attah, Akpabio failed to give any recognition to his predecessor who was physically present at the event. Now, standing on an holy altar, Unoma Akpabio’s sudden reverence to Attah was evidently vain rhetoric. How can you reverence someone who you openly and clearly insulted throughout your tenure, and who you have never visited, seventeen years after taking over power from him?
Ekpo’s claims that Udom Emmanuel harboured resentment towards Akpabio’s defection to the APC were quickly dismissed by those familiar with the events. In truth, it was Akpabio who launched personal attacks against Udom, claiming that Udom’s emergence was a mistake, that he(Akpabio) made. Akpabio even boasted that he could prevent Udom from securing a second term, and vowed to conclude elections within 3 hours. He even said that by December 2018, just few months to the 2019 election, Udom Emmanuel, his wife and driver would be the only occupants of the Government House, claiming that everyone would desert the then Governor. This was after he had instigated the federal government to freeze the account of the State Government.
It did not end there, he equally made several attempts to destabilize the state, most notably through efforts to manipulate the State Assembly.
During that turbulent period, it was the resilience of the then state Assembly Speaker Onofiok Luke and other lawmakers that thwarted Akpabio’s attempts to sow ethnic discord. Akpabio instigated his kinsman Nse Ntuen and 2 others to attack the state Assembly. The pictures are still in the archives. The political antics and false narratives propagated at the time were well understood by the people of Akwa Ibom, and Ekpo’s attempt to revive them at the worship service appears rather misguided.
More so, Unoma Akpabio’s remarks calling on Governor Umo Eno to “return the state to God” left many questioning her sincerity. Under Akpabio’s rule, the state saw a rise in politically motivated violence, intimidation, and a suppression of political freedom. One would wonder which God she is referring to. Whether the gods of kidnapping, or politically motivated assassination that reigned in the state during her husband’s tenure as governor.
Akwa Ibom’s peace, restored under Udom Emmanuel’s leadership, is a far cry from the chaotic environment during Akpabio’s tenure. Governor Umo Eno, like his predecessor, is committed to maintaining peace and fostering development without returning to the politics of suppression and intolerance.
The call for reconciliation is not without merit, but it must be founded on truth and mutual respect, not political gestapo style. For Ekpo and Unoma to stand on the holy altar and attempt to rewrite history only diminishes the sincerity of their appeals. How do they sleep at night after making such false conjectures?
As Akwa Ibomites reflect on 37 years of statehood, they must remain vigilant. It is crucial to discern truth from political manipulations, and avoid being swayed by divisive rhetoric. The people of Akwa Ibom should remember their history and recognize the progress made under leadership that prioritizes unity and peace over personal ambition.
Finally, it is imperative for the people of Akwa Ibom to support Pastor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda. His focus on peace, infrastructure, and socio-economic development is the way forward for the state. Let us be wary of comments designed to breed hatred towards those who have served our state. Unity, above all, should remain our guiding principle.
Emmanuel Etim a political analyst writes from, Ibiono Ibom
