A former Minister of Lands and Housing, Nduese Essien, has dismissed insinuations that Senate President Godswill Akpabio is behind the petition submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against former Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel.
An anti-graft organisation, the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking, had in late January called for a thorough investigation into Emmanuel’s administration.
Speaking to journalists at his Eket country home on Sunday, Essien, a former House of Representatives member, distanced Akpabio from the petition and rejected any ethnic dimension to the controversy.
He asserted that Akpabio was too engaged with national matters to be involved in such an issue.
The petition, submitted to both the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, alleged mismanagement of funds during Emmanuel’s tenure.
The development has stirred controversy in Akwa Ibom State, with some groups accusing Akpabio of orchestrating the probe.
Essien, however, emphasised that Akpabio had himself faced EFCC scrutiny in the past and argued that accountability should be upheld without bias.
“As the third-ranking political figure in the country, Akpabio is preoccupied with matters of national importance.
“It is laughable to suggest that he has the time or inclination to entertain a media-driven witch-hunt. Furthermore, let us not forget that Senator Akpabio has had his own share of scrutiny from anti-graft agencies,” he said.
“If we are truly committed to accountability, it should be applied uniformly, without bias or selectivity. Additionally, we must reject the ethnic undertones creeping into this issue. Corruption, accountability, and the rule of law transcend ethnic affiliations. Whether one hails from Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Eket, or any other part of the state, the law remains the law.”
Essien, a political leader in the Eket Senatorial District, further noted that the era of discord between governors and their successors was over.
He stated that since May 29, 2023, when the current administration took office, Akwa Ibom has enjoyed peace and steady development.