PRESS STATEMENT
Re: “BUILT UP TO 2023: UDOM EMMANUEL DECLARES WAR ON EPHRAIM INYANGEYEN OVER OBA ASPIRATION”
My attention has been drawn to a piece of disjointed and poorly written gibberish, published by a local tabloid, Global Concord on page 3 of her Wednesday 7th – 9th April, 2021 with the title, ‘Built up to 2023: Udom Emmanuel declares War on Ephraim Inyangeyen over OBA aspiration’, with the riders, ‘May sack CoS, vows to deal with any PDP Chieftain link to OBA, Stops Honorarium for Social Media Influencers.
Whereas, I would have preferred to ignore the incoherent and duplicitous blackmail, presented as political commentary, I have chosen to issue this clarification for the sake of the innocent reading public who may be misinformed, misled and misguided by the patently false publication making the rounds online and on print media.
The said error strewn piece is not only spurious, unfounded, mischievous and puerile, but remains a pitiable figment of the imagination of the writer and his sponsors. I am not unaware of the fact that, the intent of purveyors of this falsehood is to incite and create bad blood where there is none.
For the records, I have a very cordial relationship with my Boss, Leader and Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel and it is strange to insinuate that he has declared war on me.
Governor Emmanuel is currently focused on delivering good governance consistent with the implementation of his Completion Agenda and has severally posited that it is too early to be distracted by the 2023 politicking.
Indeed, His Excellency has not given a direction on the course of succession politics in 2023 and I am focused on my duties as his Chief of Staff, I HAVE NOT declared support for any aspirant howsoever for 2023.
Governor Emmanuel has not stopped payment of any Honorarium on account of alleged dominance of those allegedly sympathetic to OBA as purported by the Newspaper which is known for yellow journalism as everyone on the list are members of our team that worked assiduously for the success of the Governor in 2019.
I advise the purveyors of this ignoble profession of rumour peddling and tar brushing to desist from it and pursue the tenets of integrity, accuracy and unbiased reportage in keeping with the noble profession of journalism and not allow their medium or platforms to be used by agents of mischief and disgruntled political elements.
As a Grand Patron of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, I continue to hold in high esteem, accredited members and Chapels of the noble Union and charge them to purge their Union of miscreants, quacks and rabble rousers.
Finally, I pledge my unwavering loyalty to Governor Udom Emmanuel and when he gives direction in 2023, I will follow him. I accordingly charge the general public to ignore the futile rants and insinuations of those whose feet make haste to forment evil.
Signed:
Ephraim Inyang-Eyen
Chief of Staff to the
Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
