Time, the ultimate equalizer cannot be brought under control by any mortal. Hence, as the clock ticks nonstop, everyone's deed unravels for all to see and learn.
I recently came across an interesting piece, written by my elder brother, Ata Ikiddeh, titled ' Did Akpabio see tomorrow?' A rather intense, nostalgic recollection of events within the political class of our State, Akwa Ibom, told with such detail and emotion that they come alive as one reads. I found it thoroughly entertaining, but the purpose of that write-up is lost on me.
Those events which Ikiddeh writes about happened years ago, the most recent of them being what he described in the second paragraph - the humiliating denial of former first lady, Mrs. Ekaette Uloma Akpabio from entering the Governor's Lodge. As rude and condemnable as such incident is, it is not worth crying over. The fact is, by mentioning this incident, if my brother intended to portray the former first lady as a victim of the power play in Akwa Ibom, then that would definitely not fly. Akwa Ibom people had witnessed such unimaginable and unprecedented abuse of power by her to be sympathetic. Is this not the same woman that made political appointees kneel before her to address her? Is she not the one who had commissioners report to her despite the fact that she was not a government official? Didn't she go berserk on that fateful Monday, July 29, 2013, leading a team of heavily armed security agents to breach the Office of the Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, while he was away on official assignment? She criminally trespassed into government confidential files, assaulted members of staff and threw the SSG's work tools, documents and personal belongings out of Government House. So, why get emotional when eventually the same man she caused all the commotion to pave way for, locked her out of the gate?
While in power, the savage force and ruthless treachery Governor Akpabio and his family dealt with his benefactors, are still fresh in the minds the people especially those who experienced it and survived. Like the medieval czar, Akpabio had a penchant for betrayal and never hesitated when it came to diminishing the influence of those he used to capture power in the state. He started with Obong Victor Attah, immediately after swearing in and moved on to his very close ally, Ambassador Sam Edem, then chairman of the governing board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Next to axe was former secretary to federal government, late Chief Ufot Ekaette, and next was his campaign manager, Senator John James Udoedeghe; the macabre list goes on.
Ikiddeh relied on copious quotes from the scriptures, specifically the travails of King David in the Absalom saga, to subtly insinuate that the former first family has been wrongfully treated. The question however is, by who? Is it not befitting that Akpabio be humiliated by Governor Udom Emmanuel whom he installed at all costs and in certain cases, sacrifice of lives of friends? He prided himself as a covenant breaker, betraying trust, biting the fingers that fed him and sponsoring the destruction of those instrumental to his uplift. Considering these, is it not right to suggest that, Ata rather titles his treatise "Akpabio never saw tomorrow... Fruits of betrayal"?
As devout Catholics, as suggested by my brother, the Akpabios should have known better to govern with the fear of God, humility and RESPECT, knowing that with time they too will return to 'ordinary life'. Alas, they never envisaged that their recompense would come swiftly. Like I mentioned earlier, there is a litany of people (some dead) which Akpabio ought to begged for forgiveness, in order to lighten his mental burden. A few have had their ordeal in the hands of the Akpabios documented in public domain, they include Evangelist (Chief) Fidelis Etim, HE Obong Victor Attah, Chief Ime Umana, Amb. Sam Edem, Atuekong Don Etiebet, late Chief Paul Inyang, Sen John J. Akpanudoedeghe, Engr Albert Ukpanah, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, Prof. Chris Ekong and Sen. Bassey Albert Akpan and I will attempt to highlight their roles in the rise of Akpabio and how they were paid back.
Evangelist (Chief) Fidelis Etim:
Chief Etim, the pioneer Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Mubi and one-time Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), was a bosom friend of the then governor, Obong Victor Attah and a political godfather to Senator Godswil Akpabio.
In 2002, when Obong Attah needed a Commissioner from Essien Udim local government area, it was late Chief Fidelis Etim who presented Godswill Akpabio to Obong Attah for appointment as Commissioner.
Sadly, Akpabio paid back his political godfather with a bad coin. At one instance, he made the poor old man fill visitor's form, wait for more than 10 hours and leave without being granted an audience. Those who know will affirm that Akpabio was fond of making people wait for long hours in his reception area while gloating over their misery via a close circuit television.
The old man died with that humiliating incident stuck on him.
HE Obong Victor Attah:
His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah, as an elder statesman foresaw what Godswill Akpabio would become if he grab the seat of power, reason he rejected him vehemently till Obong Attah was schemed out during party primaries by his trusted allies.
After his emergence as Obong Attah’s successor, Akpabio never concealed his hatred and disrespect for his predecessor throughout his time in office. For eight years, he employed every conceivable means to belittle Attah's projects and even tried unsuccessfully to erase some. Godswill Akpabio, in his meanness went to Obong Attah’s ward and village, brought out a physically-challenged person to be elected councilor representing Obong Attah in Ibesikpo Asutan legislative council. This he did without any input from Obong Attah.
Chief Ime Sampson Umana:
Chief Ime Umana was a frontline philanthropist and business mogul, reputed as a friend of the less-privileged. He took young Godswill Akpabio under his wings, and took care of Akpabio's education up to Law School.
Eventually, in 2015, Akpabio fell out with Chief Ime Umana and persecuted his benefactor despite his old age. According to Premium Times, the septuagenarian was accused of plotting to 'kidnap' the governor, arrested and locked up for days in a dungeon . He was later subjected to the rigours of a politically-motivated criminal trial until he eventually died in a fatal auto crash while returning from one.
Ambassador Sam Edem:
Edem, then the chairman of governing council of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), one of those who influenced then President Obasanjo's decision to cancel the 2007 PDP governorship primary, ordering a second one which favoured Akpabio.
A year later, Akpabio enlisted the service of his kinsman, then DSP Udom Ekpoudom to persecuted Edem till he was disgraced out of office.
Atuekong Don Etiebet:
Atuekong Etiebet, a former petroleum minister was both an inspiration and a destiny helper, who helped in moulding Godswill Akpabio into a man. Unfortunately, he has remained a target of numerous humiliating attacks and blackmail from the former governor, who sees him as a threat to his political ambition within the senatorial district.
Chief Paul Inyang:
Chief Paul Inyang, a PDP stalwart also billed for the State PDP Chairmanship, was shot dead in the premises of his church. Inyang differed with Akpabio on political principle, choosing to defer to Obong Victor Attah and Senator Udoedehe, on account of Akpabio’s high handed administration of the State. Clearly, Paul Inyang’s murder was not unconnected with his allegiance to the opposition.
Sen John Akpan Udoedeghe:
Senator John James Akpan Udoedeghe, a campaign manager of Godswill Akpabio in the 2007 governorship election, was among the first to be blackmailed and pushed aside after Akpabio took power.
In 2011, when Udoedeghe contested against Akpabio's reelection, he experienced first hand, Akpabio's cruelty and vindictive persecution. Even though his campaign train was ambushed by known PDP agents and many lost their lives, Udoedeghe was framed for treason, arrested and remanded in prison.
After a week of incarceration and upon appeal, a court of superior jurisdiction faulted the action of the Nigeria Police in charging Udoedeghe to court over his alleged complicity in acts of treason, without adducing a corresponding proof of evidence in support of the allegation, and he was set free. Shortly afterwards, he was rearrested on trumped up charges of arson and murder.
Obong Okon Uwah:
Obong Okon Uwah was the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly between 2007 and 2011. He, an ardent supporter of Governor Godswill Akpabio until they parted ways based on intractable political interest.
Soon afterwards, he was allegedly murdered by political thugs allegedly linked to Akpabio, when he went on a campaign consultation in Ntek, Ukanafun Local Government Area.
Before then, Governor Akpabio had outrightly declared that any candidate who did not pass through him would “die”.
Engineer Albert Ukpanah:
Engr. Albert Ukpanah felled out with Governor Akpabio over the governor's decision to seek a senatorial ticket after leaving office. He spoke vehemently against Akpabio’s 2015 Senate ambition, which sought to rob people of Abak, Etim Ekpo, Ika, Oruk Anam, Ukanafun (Abak 5) opportunity to be represented at the senate. He was reportedly invited to Government Lodge and upon return to his home in Abak, strangled to death on the 5th of March, 2014.
Mr. Umana Okon Umana:
Mr. Umana Okon Umana, was a frontline supporter of Godswill Akpabio, right from the onset when he was being packaged to contest against the interest of an incumbent.
Umana rallied men and resources to ensure Akpabio emerge victorious and was dubbed the 'engine room' of government, little did he know that he was being set up for an epic betrayal later. In 2013, while the entire state machinery was preparing for an easy succession, Akpabio snapped and turned against his closest ally.
Prof. Chris Ekong:
Prof Ekong, an erudite Economist would have been rotting in prison or worse still eliminated if Akpabio had gotten his way. A former Commissioner for Youth and Sports, and later Economic Development, who felled out with his boss, was framed for complicity in a kidnap case, detained for over two years.
Incidentally, he was discharged and acquitted of the charges.
Senator Bassey Albert Akpan:
Senator Obong Bassey Albert, OBA, is currently passing through a travail which was set in motion by his former boss, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
There are evidences that Akpabio passed on incriminating documents, which the EFCC is using to prosecute his former finance commissioner. As such, many are of the opinion that OBA would have been spared the ongoing prosecution for money laundering had he accepted Akpabio's proposition to decamp with him to APC.
I personally do not believe in karma, what guides my steps in life is the word of God, which instructs in Galatians 6: 7, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap". In the light of this, neither the former governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio nor his wife, Uloma is a victim of humiliation. They are only eating the bitter fruits of betrayal and humiliation they planted while in power. Whatever humiliation they are receiving today pales in comparison to what they did to those whose back they climbed to reach political relevance.