Editor
Akwa Ibom has remained a hot spot for high profile silent cult and kidnapping activities. Most of the cases are not reported for fear of being the next target. Today,
| Sunday January 31, 2010 and right inside the Qua Iboe Church in Iwok, Nsit Atai LGA, near Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the former NYSC Director-General, Retired General Edet Akpan, a PDP stalwart, was kidnapped in a broad day light. In the process, three persons were shot dead and few others with gunshot wounds are lying critical in the hospital. When one tried to reach him by 6pm today (31/1/2010) on his personal telephone 08022908224, a voice confirmed to me that he was kidnapped in morning and that no contact has been established by the kidnappers. This is happening at a time when it alleged that the sitting governor receives N1.5billion monthly as security vote which is never accounted for. Security Votes are meant for security matters by a sitting governor. But in most cases, some of the governors convert them to their personal uses and where they were used for security issues they were applied to service their personal security outfits that are mostly cult-like. In Akwa Ibom you have the dreaded AKPF, and not PDP, in power; almost all the officials of government in power are made to belong. Governor Akpabio claimed he formed it for unity of Akwa Ibom people but he is being accused of using the outfit against perceived opponents. In Abia State, Governor Orji who is battling to increase his N400million monthly security vote to N700million through the legislature is said to use his in mainly sustaining the Bakassi outfit that are like State Security Police; he inherited this from his predecessor. The Bayelsa governor whose monthly security vote is said to hover around N900million is being alleged to be servicing Egbesu boys.
One thing that baffles the public is that in spite of all the atrocities being attributed to some of the sitting governors, the media house that are supposed seen as the last hope of the masses still find it en vogue giving unworthy Awards to these government officials without proving what made them so outstanding for such. One needs to appeal to the media to put some restraints. Sunday Isong 88 Kehinde Street, Agbara, Ogun State |
