Many Akwa Ibom commentators have in the last few days been engrossed with two important issues: Atiku Abubarkar’s apparent disrespect to the frontline traditional ruler in the state, Okuibom Ibibio, Ntenyin (Dr) Solomon Etuk and the refusal of the Buhari administration to give a national honour to Governor Udom Emmanuel.
On Monday, the PDP presidential candidate visited Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers Council in Uyo, and a photograph that emerged soon after showed Atiku shaking the Oku Ibom in rather casual and disrespectful manner, compared to other pictures in which the same Atiku was seen kneeling down before the Sultan of Sokoto and the Olu of Warri. The OkuIbom himself did not help matters as he left his stool, stood up to greet Atiku, one hand raised in total supplication to the politician. Atiku was in Uyo to launch his presidential campaign rally.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelMany Akwa Ibom people have also been particularly scandalized that their revered Traditional Father and custodian of Ibibio customs did not only conduct himself properly before Atiku (himself a politician of shady character). Our people are also sad that Atiku was also very discourteous to the OkuIbom. Personally, I have been very disturbed by Atiku’s bad behavior at the Traditional Rulers Council.
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But as I had said so many times, the OkuIbom has not been carrying himself with considerable dignity and self-respect. Gov. Udom Emmanuel has also done much to whittle down the Traditional Ruler’s prestige.
By constantly making himself available at PDP events, the OkuIbom has reduced himself to the position of a partisan party hack. He has therefore lost the respect of other politicians.
The Olu of Warri is young enough to be the son of the OkuIbom, and he reigns over a population about a third of the OkuIbom’s, but you’ll never see the Olu in any function of a political party. Atiku went to Warri and knelt down before the Olu.
I will therefore repeat what I have been saying. For as much as Etennyin continues to attend PDP’s activities and behave as one of its chapter officers at the behest of the governor, nobody will take him seriously, whether Atiku or Babantan! The proverb says ‘’As you make your bed, so shall you lie on it’’. Atiku himself has shown disdain for Akwa Ibom people with his impoliteness. I condemn his behaviour in the strongest terms.
On the matter of Gov. Udom Emmanuel not receiving any National Honour, although up to five PDP governors were so celebrated, my findings at the Presidency attribute the snub to lack of transparency in the manner our finances in the state are being managed. For public sector officials, one of the criteria for receiving the award as stated by the President at the event yesterday is ‘’recreating a new Nigeria of our dreams through respect for the rule of law, transparency and accountability in the management of scarce resources’’. For sure, accountability and transparency in the management of resources of Akwa Ibom has been lacking under this governor.
Etim Etim
ETIM ETIM is a journalist, banker and author. He has been a member of the Editorial Board of The Guardian, a Regional Manager in Access Bank and is currently a Columnist in Prime Business Africa, The Cable and Businessday newspapers.
He is also the Chief Executive of Stein Meyer Communications, a major media consultancy and the author of the best-selling book, "Akwa Ibom Heroes: Inside Story of the Fight for Abrogation of Onshore-Offshore Oil Dichotomy" and co-author of another book, "Osinbajo Strides: Defining Moments of an Innovative Leader".
