AIR MARSHAL EDUOK’S FUNERAL: Sen. Akpabio Under Fire
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has come under severe criticisms over a mild stir he caused during the burial of Late Air Marshal Nsikak Eduok in Uyo.
The Minister who arrived the Ibom Hall Ground during the ceremony, more than an hour after the commencement of the event, attempted to display his usual popularity stunt by driving in a convoy right into the center of the arena.
His arrival during the sermon at the service, and insistence to drive right to the center of the arena was unwelcomed, as the security details from the Air force prevailed on him to alight from the car and humbly get to a nearby empty seat.
A senior University lecturer and an Elder of the United Evangelical Church, Dr Uwem Ekpo, who spoke to our reporter said that the former Governor fundamentally flouted the physical, sacred and spiritual principles of that occasion.
Dr. Ekpo said he was surprised Chief Akpabio failed to honour the memory of the dead senior officer, by attending the occasion late and insisting on driving ostentatiously to the VIP stand during a sacred event as homily.
“I think this is a psychological condition associated with low self esteem, and that is why Senator Akpabio has forgotten that he is no longer the Governor of the state.
This is really unfortunate.
“He dishonoured God, he dishonoured the dead and he also showed disrespect to the senior government officials who were already seated.
Others who took to the social media, wondered why a Governor who left office six years ago could still rely on the same antics of throwing money at the crowd and buying popularity after arriving late.
“This is how he used to keep everyone waiting when he was Governor, and would arrive late only to stage dramas by throwing money,” an angry observer posted on a social media platform facebook.
Since leaving office in 2015, Akpabio has frequently caused such hiccups when he would arrive state functions when the incumbent Governor and other dignitaries had already gone far in proceedings.
On one of such functions, a federal lawmaker Hon. Pat Ifon went on FACEBOOK to lampoon him for such abnormal attitude, saying, “would Akpabio have tolerated this if he was still Governor?”
