Akpabio Refutes Sacking Media Aide Over “Ghana Must Go”
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has denied a report that he removed his former Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Aniete Ekong, over an alleged “Ghana Must Go” scandal.
The minister made the rebutal in a press release by his new CPS, Jackson Udom, who was appointed in that capacity, effective from today, following the reassignment of Ekong to another duty.
Akpabio, in the release, described the report by an undisclosed online media as mischievous and ill-conceived, declaring that Ekong was not sacked but rather reassigned to another assignment.
“We are not sure the online news platform, that allowed itself to be used for this mischief, truly understands the difference between sacked and reassigned before rushing to please its paymaster.
“Ekong, according to the letter relieving him of his position as CPS, was not sacked but reassigned. We, therefore, wonder why reassigning an office holder by his employer should be interpreted to mean sack.
“But for the unsuspecting members of the public, who would have been fed with this outright lies and blackmail, we would not have dignified the sponsored news with our response.
“To put the record straight, Anietie Ekong was never on the entourage of the Honourable Minister during his visit to Niger Delta Region. How could he have been sacked because of “Ghana Must Go” bags that purportedly conveyed funds that was used to settle Tompolo?
“It is, therefore, the height of irresponsibility and mischief for a media outfit to claim that the contents of the bags that were given to the people were stashed with money meant Niger Delta Leaders.
“Such a spurious claim is an insult on the stakeholders for anyone to have belittle them to cash. It is good to point out that they are wealthy people and cannot be bought over with money.
“They believe in the development of the region and did not spare a thought in airing their opinions to their son, the Honourable Minister
“We, therefore, call on members of the public, to disregard such spurious and paid stories which are intended to rubbish the achievement of peace in the Niger Delta Region which the minister is totally committed to.
“Those allegations, to say the least, exist only in the minds of the purveyors and sponsors of such baseless stories. No money was given to any stakeholder in sueing for peace for the region as all agreed that peace in the Niger Delta Region is non-negotiable.
“The sincerity in pursuing peace in the Niger Delta Region, as displayed by Mr President, through his minister, Senator Akpabio, conferred on both votes of confidence from the stakeholders.
“Therefore, no amount of blackmail, lies and name calling will deter the Honorable Minister from achieving the mandate of President Mohammadu Buhari for the people of the region,” the release stated.
It would be recalled that Senator Akpabio, last week, met with the traditional ruler of the Gbaramatu Kingdom and with other traditional rukers from the Niger Delta Region.
He met with the leaders of Itsekiri and Urhobo nationalities, paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Olu of Warri and visited the Olu of Warri-Designate.
The minister also met with Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo and trasversed through the creeks, all in his bid at fostering peace in Niger Delta Region.
