Ex-Minister Dismisses Corruption Allegations Against Udom Emmanuel as “Extortion Scheme”
A former Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Nduese Essien, has dismissed recent corruption allegations against former Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel as an “elaborate extortion scheme.” Essien, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), described the allegations as politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing Emmanuel’s reputation rather than fighting corruption.
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The allegations, brought forward by the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACT), accused Emmanuel of misappropriating state funds during his tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023. The group petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the claims, sparking a wave of reactions across the state.
Essien’s Defense of Udom Emmanuel
At a press briefing held at his residence in Eket, Essien, 81, criticized the allegations as baseless and orchestrated. He questioned the motives of NACT’s founder, Fejiro Oliver, whose anti-corruption organization is based in the United States but recently opened an office in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
“Mr. Oliver’s sudden affection for Akwa Ibom is remarkable but suspicious,” Essien said. “This is not his first job, and I don’t think it will be his last. Last year, he targeted former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. Oil-rich states seem to be his prime hunting grounds.”
Essien pointed out that Oliver initially made the allegations without providing any tangible evidence, relying instead on a media trial to advance his claims. “He boldly declared that he would submit a petition to the EFCC, yet it took him two weeks to do so. This suggests he was fishing for evidence, hoping someone in Akwa Ibom would supply him with material to write his petition,” Essien added.
Political Undertones and Ethnic Tensions
The allegations have stirred political tensions in Akwa Ibom, with many accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Emmanuel’s predecessor and political rival, of sponsoring the petition. Akpabio, who defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), has yet to respond to the allegations.
Essien, however, defended Akpabio, stating that the Senate President is preoccupied with national issues and unlikely to be involved in a “media-driven witch hunt.” He also criticized former Senator Ita Enang for urging Emmanuel to respond to the allegations, suggesting that Enang’s comments were politically motivated.
“Ita Enang’s remarks appear to be a way of working himself back into political recognition,” Essien said. “As for Akpabio, he has had his share of scrutiny from anti-graft agencies. If we are truly committed to accountability, it should be applied uniformly, without bias or selectivity.”
A Call for Legitimate Accountability
While Essien emphasized the importance of holding public officials accountable, he insisted that such efforts must be pursued through legitimate channels. “Accountability is fundamental, but it must not be driven by reckless declarations of guilt in the media to advance a particular agenda,” he said.
Essien also warned against the ethnic undertones creeping into the issue, urging the people of Akwa Ibom to reject divisive politics. He praised the current administration of Governor Umo Eno for fostering peace and inclusive governance in the state.
Udom Emmanuel’s Legacy
Despite the allegations, Essien highlighted Emmanuel’s achievements as governor, including the establishment of Ibom Air, which has become a success story in Nigeria’s aviation sector. He also noted the significant infrastructure development under Emmanuel’s administration, such as the construction of new roads in Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, and Eket.
“Setting up Ibom Air and opening up Akwa Ibom with new roads and infrastructure are part of Emmanuel’s enduring legacies,” Essien said.
The allegations against Udom Emmanuel raise important questions about the intersection of politics, accountability, and the fight against corruption in Nigeria. While Essien’s defense of Emmanuel is robust, it also highlights the challenges of distinguishing genuine anti-corruption efforts from politically motivated attacks.
The involvement of Fejiro Oliver, whose organization has previously targeted other governors in oil-rich states, adds another layer of complexity to the case. His reliance on media trials and delayed submission of evidence to the EFCC undermines the credibility of his claims and fuels suspicions of an extortion scheme.
Moreover, the political rivalry between Udom Emmanuel and Godswill Akpabio, coupled with the ethnic undertones of the allegations, underscores the need for a more transparent and impartial approach to fighting corruption.
As the EFCC investigates the allegations against Udom Emmanuel, the public will be watching closely to see whether the claims hold water or are, as Essien suggests, part of an elaborate extortion scheme. For now, the controversy serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between holding public officials accountable and ensuring that such efforts are not hijacked for political or financial gain.
In a state like Akwa Ibom, where political tensions often run high, the pursuit of justice must be guided by principles of fairness, transparency, and integrity. Only then can the people truly trust that their leaders are being held to account for the right reasons.
Reference
Ex-Minister Dismisses Corruption Allegations Against Udom Emmanuel as “Extortion Scheme”