story by crossriverwatch admin
Deputy Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Itaya Asuquo Nyong has advised Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State to guard his utterances while speaking in public alleging that the behavior of the governor showed that something was wrong with him.
The Deputy Speaker who spoke to crossriverwatch after a workshop on how to diversify the economy of the states in the Niger Delta region held in Asaba, Delta State noted with regret that the presentation of the Akwa Ibom State Governor in his goodwill message at the occasion lacked decency and decorum.
Nyong said though he has great respect for the governor, his utterances in public and his penchant to insult past leaders and elders was not good for the position he occupies, stressing that former leaders of the state like U.J. Esuene and Dr. Clement Isong were leaders that worked for the good of the old Cross River State.
According to him, Governor Akpabio who he said came in late to the workshop distracted the host Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan who was delivering his speech but as a mark of respect, Uduaghan cut short his speech to welcome the Akpabio and even invited him to give a goodwill message.
He said, “Akpabio took three hours in a goodwill message. Goodwill message simply is just to state your support and appreciation for the organizers of the workshop, but it became an opportunity for Akpabio to front and market himself”.
“I really wasn’t worried about the campaign or telling people what you have done because I believe a good wine needs no introduction. If Akpabio has done so much, he should allow other people to speak about what he has done”.
“Liyel (Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State) has done so much in Cross River State, yet he doesn’t talk, he doesn’t really need to pay the press, it is the press that knows that he has done so much and tells him to talk about the achievements,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker who represents Akamkpa State Constituency in the House of Assembly further alleged that the Akwa Ibom State Governor descended low by criticizing the wisdom in the Esuene and Isong administrations for citing industries like the Calabar Port and some other industries in the state, saying that Akpabio should understand that the two former leaders were great men with vision and charisma and meant well for both Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
He said, “So for Akpabio to be so cynical to make a statement as to say that the sea port was just sited because the Minister was from Cross River, that Nigeria is the only country where you site industry where there is no source of raw material was unfortunate.”
Nyong who pointed out that the Nigerian Newsprint Manufacturing Company, NNMC, was located in Akwa Ibom State, yet there was no Melina plantation in the state and told the Governor to always think before he talks.
The visibly angry lawmaker said, “So, I believe sincerely that something is wrong with Godswill Akpabio and I am sure that by the time he leaves office, most likely, he might be admitted for psychiatric case in a hospital and I take serious exception. He is somebody I respect and I have friends from Akwa Ibom. When you meet the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, he is a gentleman.
“We relate with other Akwa Ibom leaders who are even resident here (Cross River), even those in Akwa Ibom, very responsible people, they talk nice. We didn’t expect Godswill Akpabio after what Cross River has passed through; the misfortune in the Supreme Court judgment, to make a statement insulting the sensibility of the people of Cross River, that is terribly bad,” he said.
He advised the governor to show decency in the way he conducts his affairs, adding that there is no decency in loud mouthedness. “Akpabio needs to behave responsibly as a governor and know what to say and when to say that,” he concluded.
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