Daily Independent (Lagos)
Clifford Thomas
11 July 2009
interview
Lagos — For some time now, Akwa Ibom State has become an arena for political pugilism, where highly respected elders and stakeholders have been at each other's throat. The reverberating effects have been very destructive, exposing the vulnerability of the state.
In this interview with Correspondent Clifford Thomas, Ime Mbat-Essien, the progenitor of the petition that sparked the controversy, speaks about Governor Godswill Akpabio's public governance in Akwa Ibom State, and the multifarious effects on the people.
Did you make efforts to speak with Dr. Godswill Akpabio before reaching out to President Umaru Yar'Adua over your dissatisfaction with the governor?
Yes. What happened is that the last dispensation in the state considered my company for a job worth N207 million. The contract was duly signed; a performance bond was put in place and a voucher had been raised, but as soon as this government came in, the contract was re-awarded to another company. I was made to understand that the governor's brother was the resource person in the company, and I raised an alarm, and wrote to the President about it.
Was due process followed in the re-award of the N 207 million contracts for N581 million and was there no bidding process put in place to promote transparency?
Not at all! Due process was not followed. In fact, it was not even determined. It was done arbitrarily without determining the existing contract agreement. That was a breach of contract.
Did you take any step within the ambits of civil engagement before writing to the President?
I took the matter to the court because I thought it was not in the interest of the state. I petitioned the Presidency and people thought it was the contract that initiated my reaction. He (Governor Akpabio) then invited me to come and choose a job in place of the contract, which I did. He kept assuring me from September till recently, and treated the issue as being trivial. I felt insulted because I know most of the contracts are done by his relatives, and I know most of the companies they own. I'm one of those people that advocated for and was involved in the struggle for Akwa Ibom State, and for the abrogation of the on-shore/off-shore oil dichotomy, which today has placed Akwa Ibom highly in the economy, as far as petro-dollar is concerned.
You mentioned that the governor dangled a carrot and stick before you. What do you mean by that?
I mean that the governor made alternative offers to me; that he would give me inter-ministerial job; whereas he gave it to somebody else. He does not want anybody from Ibibio extraction to make money because he believes that if that happens, he would be blocked from going for second term. Second term is supposed to be based on performance. If you do well in the first term, people will send you for the second term.
The tone of your letter suggests what some persons have said, that there is tribal hatred in the government. Is it true?
Yes, it is absolutely true! Do you know that if you check records at the Ministry of Special Duties in charge of monitoring projects, those who are sent on training are skillfully selected to be Annang people? And these are the projects, which Victor Attah conceived from scratch or in scope. If you go to the Nigerian Aviation School in Zaria, you will not see an Ibibio man, but people on training there from Akwa Ibom State are Annang people. I'm very offended because throughout our struggle for Akwa Ibom State creation, no Annang person supported us. So, I'm very mad at his actions.
Where do you think this will lead the state, if truly your allegations are true?
The consequences would be the breakdown of law and order because the Ibibio are not daft. They are many enough to initiate a reaction that will need the Federal Government to intervene and settle.
You had alleged that the only business of the government is to campaign for 2011, but Governor Akpabio said he is not campaigning for 2011. What do you mean by this?
So many associations that are campaigning for him are founded by his family members. Forming associations in Akwa Ibom has become a source of livelihood.
Your letter made constant reference to the project and programmes executed by former Governor Victor Attah. You seem to be creating the impression that you were sponsored by him. How do would you react to this?
I was surprised that at the time I wrote, the former governor also wrote. I'm not sponsored by anybody. God knows this. I have been an outspoken person by nature. The truth cannot be hidden. When Attah was governor, the Chairman of the State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), Fidelis Etim, used government resources to purchase school equipment ranging from primary schools till JSS 3 classes. But now you hear that Inter-ministerial Direct Labour is the one doing such jobs. So I ask; where is the Federal Government's funding? Why is SUBEB Chairman not functioning? Is it not that somebody is trying to tie his hands?
But has the SUBEB chairman complained?
He has not complained because something is happening. And I would like you to speak with him to find out why the provision of infrastructure for primary schools is done by the state government. I want to know what he is doing. You should ask them that question.
You said that the contract awarded to Diamond Engineering Company Ltd is based on political patronage of the National Chairman of the PDP ahead of 2011 . . .
(Cuts in) It is because when I heard the information, I asked him and he said it was not true. But the person who gave me the information took me to the site they were working. I went there pretending to be what I was not, and they informed me. How can Vincent Ogbulafor come to Akwa Ibom to pick a contract worth N11 billion? Like you know, we have too many electrical contractors in the state. So, if it is not political patronage, what could it be? Is Akwa Ibom State an Igbo State?
Was due process followed?
No, it was done skillfully and subtly. No due process was followed.
There is this aspect in your letter where you said the governor has budgeted up to N20 billion to the National Assembly to kill any move to remove the immunity clause and to secure PDP nomination. Is this actually true?
It is true. All those things are what he told me personally.
What other things could he have told you that you didn't really write in the letter?
What I'm saying is that Akpabio should not be allowed to convert the state into a police state where nobody says anything apart from the fallacies of government. The radio and television stations we have in the state say what government says. That is oppression. Democracy is an issue of open participation and contribution including governance.
Many people, especially those outside Akwa Ibom, do not know Chief Mbat-Essien.
Ime Mbat-Essien had been a traditional observer of the mainstream politics of Nigeria for several years running. I was state coordinator since 1999 to Chief Olu Falae, when he was given AD ticket. I have been involved in politics at all levels in Nigeria. I was involved in the struggle for the state creation, and worked hand-in-hand with Victor Attah, struggling for the abrogation of the on-shore/off-shore dichotomy.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2009 Daily Independent. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
