Former minister cautions Akpabio against making unverified statements

Ini Billie, Uyo

Ex- Ex-Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Chief Nduese Essien (Attah of Eket), has cautioned the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio against making public statements without verifiable evidence.

Essien rebuked Akpabio for publicly announcing that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) gave out N300 billion allocation to each state governor to help mitigate inflation and food prices in their states.

He said making such claims public without double-checking the source of the information was a serious error that could harm his leadership, and cause tension in the government and the institution he represents.

“In a televised plenary session last Tuesday, you told Nigerians that you had received an unverified report about the purported allocation of N30 billion to each governor of the Federation by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to mitigate inflation and food prices in their states.

“Before making such a public statement, you as the leader of the Nigerian legislature and one of the highest-ranking officials in the current administration should have thoroughly verified such a claim.

“The subsequent rebuttal of this claim by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and the loud silence from All Progressives Congress (APC) governors suggest you did not double-check the information before giving it to the public.

“This serious error, along with previous blunders, harms your leadership reputation. I urge you to stop making hasty and unfounded claims that could inflame tensions or damage the government and the institution you represent. It is important to apply caution when we speak as leaders,” he stated.

The former minister urged Akpabio to address the inconsistencies that seem to characterise his political statements, especially about Akwa Ibom State.

He recalled that Akpabio had erroneously stated during the 36th anniversary thanksgiving service of the State’s creation that all local government areas in the state were oil producing, and “there should be no distinction among them in terms of sharing of resources or benefits”.

He further advised the Senate President to concentrate more on national politics in a bid to rescue Nigeria from its problems.