SHOCKER ! 5 Commissioners Set To Resign

Unless they change their minds, five (5) of the nineteen commissioners in Gov. Godswill Akpabio's cabinet who are no longer comfortable with the leadership style of the governor and unfavorable public criticism to the government are considering resigning their appointments.
Global Concord gathers from a close aide to one of the commissioners that the decision of his boss and others are not unconnected to the upsurge of insecurity and unsavory public opinion towards the government.
Apart from this, the aid who confided in the Global Concord while it visited the commissioner to ascertain and established some substance in the recent raid conducted by security operatives from Abuja on some Aides to government top functionaries in connection to kidnapping and political thuggery in the state told the press that the situation has caused “serious embarrassment to my boss and others and about five of them are considering resignation”. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the Aide to the undisclosed commissioner said most commissioners were not in control of their ministries because they are used as errand men and rubber stamps”.
Our investigative crew equally gathered that the commissioners were contemplating security implication of their planned action since they may be accosted by security operatives for questioning and intimidation by government.
The situation according to the source who read economics at the University of Calabar and key player in Akwa Ibom State Youth Council's Politics said the situation has killed self worth of some commissioners who were intellectuals before joining the cabinet as most of them now can't face the governor to give him input rather, they use pen name in text messages from sim cards not owned by them and strange e-mails to speak their minds to the governor.
Pointing to an open letter to Governor Godswill Akpabio by one Mr. Samuel Ekanem, (not real name) in a state based tabloid (not Global Concord), the source said members of Akpabio's cabinet who are no longer comfortable with his style of leadership have decided to advice him indirectly and unofficially for fear of accusation of insubordination. Global Concord sought and found the said letter purportedly written by one of the commissioners contemplating resignation; and quotes its contents extensively for substance to be established. The letter reads: “My dear governor, please permit me to use this open letter to address issues of great concern to many people in Akwa Ibom State. Because truth as they say is bitter, I want to ask you for forgiveness in advance incase you feel hurt in any way by any portion of this letter. My intention, Your Excellency, is not to disparage or ridicule you. But to point out some conspicuous flaws in your administration, and also offer advice that could help you remain that hero of popular struggle that we all staked our lives and resources for in 2007”.

Of his identity, the writer of the letter said to have robbed the five commissioners the confidence of their boss, said: “I am a senior citizen of Nigeria from Akwa Ibom State, and also a senior member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I am your friend. I will for the fear of counter reactions keep my real name and position in your administration hidden for now.
“Your Excellency, there is so much hunger in the land. Akwa Ibom People have never been this hungry. Since your second year in office, it appears as if money mysteriously took flight from the pockets of Akwa Ibom people, and food suddenly disappeared from family tables and kitchen lockers. Although, free education, which is your signature programme, is acceptable and laudable, how will the programme succeed when parents cannot afford books and writing materials for their wards? What learning can really take place where parents, teachers and children are hungry? My dear Governor, the situation becomes even worrisome, nauseating and painful when the poor majority of Akwa Ibom people watch you; your family members and a few friends live in opulence.
“Some of your Personal Assistants and Special Assistants, especially those that have family or some inexplicable ties with you, if truth be told, are now multi-billionaires, more powerful than most of your commissioners put together. They drive in expensive cars. They buy properties in choice locations in Uyo, Lagos and Abuja, and even outside the country. With a high degree of arrogance and disdain never seen before in the history of Akwa Ibom State, they have already shared for themselves political offices (elective offices, I mean) for 2011 even when they have not lived up to expectation in their current assignments. The blame for all these goes to you, my dear Governor. Sir, you have, either by commission or omission allowed the serious business of government to turn to a dog game. So, the “boys” are taking a cue from you.
“The total disregard these days for traffic lights and the chaotic traffic in Uyo capital city symbolizes and alien culture of disorderliness and uncleanness that has sneaked into Akwa Ibom State during your reign. Illegal motor parks are springing up in almost every major road in Uyo, while the city gets filthier and filthier every day.
“Akwa Ibom people are angry. They know that their state gets billions of naira every month as revenue allocation from the federal account. It is difficult for them to accept hunger and deprivation in the midst of such plenty. Yes, we need flyovers. Yes, we need the airport. We need Tropicana and all the big big buildings. But most importantly, Akwa Ibom people need food on their tables. Akwa Ibom people are hungry, Akwa Ibom people are angry, my dear Governor.
“Please my dear Governor Godswill Akpabio, come up with policies and programmes that will create jobs and help provide food, shelter, and healthcare for the people”.
The writer paused and told the governor of the disloyalty of most of the people who worked for his success in 2007. He said: “a great number of people who once adored and worked for you in 2007 to become their governor, are now deeply distrustful of you and your administration. Please, don't be deceived by the fake display of love and loyalty, solidarity and support from the people around you; they do this just to get what they want from you. I am guilty of this as well. But I could not allow my conscience to torment me any further when I know that your mismanagement of the people's resources and goodwill is as terrible and sinful as the fake smiles and support I have been giving to you. Your Excellency, it will shock you to know that even most members of your cabinet, the hierarchy of PDP in Akwa Ibom and most local government areas in the state no longer believe in your leadership. But for obvious reasons, they can't say this out in the public. Just last week, l rejected an invitation to a secret political meeting in Uyo where some of your core-loyalists' were tinkering with the idea of promoting a politician from Abak federal constituency to run against you in the 2011 governorship election!
“I refused to accept the speculation that why there is hunger in Akwa Ibom State is “because you don't want the people especially the Ibibio to have economic power”. The argument surrounding this speculation is that you are afraid that if money is allowed to get into the hands of the people, they will have the strength to fight against your re-election, I see you as being too intelligent for such parochial thinking”.
Mr. Samuel Ekanem, according to our source, suspected to be one of the commissioners in the cabinet considering resignation, whose open letter took a page of the tabloid disagreed with the view and said “but here is my opinion, nevertheless, in your commendable drive to develop the state, you have however partnered so much with foreigners and other Nigerians to the detriment of Akwa Ibom people. From major road and building constructions to minor supplies and repairs, it is either the known names like Julius Berger, Setraco, Sinoeng, Marlum, gitto, and Silverbird or some obscure companies from Abuja, Lagos or Enugu, while companies owned by Akwa Ibom indigenes have been pushed to oblivion. It is economically and politically dangerous and unacceptable too, for you to exclude our people from being major players in the Akwa Ibom State economy. Already, before now, our Igbo brothers have been in control of marketing channels and commerce in the state, while the Yorubas have upper hands in Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and other oil-related business.
“If our people cannot get jobs and employments, and be truly empowered here in their own state where there is so much money, where else in Nigeria can they run to? Why, Akpabio? Why? Why? Why have you chosen to let down the very people who once loved you with all their hearts and were ready to die for you? Who has bewitched you, my dear governor? Who has done this to you?

“Julius Berger, I understand, has done an excellent job in road and building construction in Akwa Ibom State. But, at what cost? Are there no indigenous companies that are doing reasonably well, that could be nurtured to become our own Julius Berger' in future? How come the immediate past administration of Obong Victor Attah was able to use both foreign and local companies to successfully implement its development projects in the state? Please my dear Governor, I advice that you commission a research into the existence and mortality of indigenous business in Akwa Ibom, and you will be shocked by the findings …

“So far, Your Excellency, you have, at various times awarded more than 150 billion naira contracts to Julius Berger alone. Have you ever pondered upon how much of such money trickles down from Julius Berger to the ordinary Akwa Ibom man who is in the business of selling cements, sands, iron rods, and other construction-related items? Sir, it is of common knowledge that Julius Berger and most of these multinational construction firms you have so partnered with get more than 99 percent of their procurements including skilled labour from outside Akwa Ibom State.
“My dear Governor Godswill Akpabio, you have to stop this senseless economic strangulation. You have to stop this capital flight now.

“Even a mere intervention programme like the Inter-ministerial Direct Labour Project which was done without much difficulty during the Victor Attah administration is now tainted with embarrassing controversies, all because you want to administer every piece of contract directly from your table. Your commissioners are justified in their anger against you because you have refused to empower them to run their ministries”.
Concluding, the writer gave bearings to the popularity of opposition leaders and Akpabio contenders in 2011 including Senator John Udoedeehe when he alleged that: “it is your arrogance or insensitivity to the feelings of the people that has made politicians like Senator James Akpan Udoedeghe and Larry Esin appear as angels fighting for the people's freedom. Please, for the 2011 election, don't put your trust on the “boys” who have guns, matchets, and charms: put your trust in God, and do your best to lift up His people, the Akwa Ibom people. The “boys” can never be mightier than the people …
“For me, I have off loaded a great burden off my chest by telling you the truth. I have freed myself of guilt if in the near future I walk a different path away from yours. But now, you still have my love and loyalty.”
The source could not ascertain if the governor was aware of the resignation move by his commissioners, but was of the view that if the commissioners execute their plan, apart from being hunted and blackmailed, they (the commissioners) will cause severe security and credibility damage to Governor Godswill Akpabio's administration. The source who is nursing a political ambition and has started private consultation told the paper that incessant accusation of the state government of non performance, especially in security of lives and property, pointing to the recent raid, has caused severe damage to the administration of Chief Akpabio already.

Efforts to reach Mr. Ita Benedict, Personal Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs for comments on the alleged public relation breach fail as at press the time of going to press.