Former Gov. Udom Emmanuel
OPINION
By Osondu Ahirika, PhD
So the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee want a detailed report.
Of projects funded from 13% derivation funds for only 3 years.
Between 2021- 2023.
I laugh.
So, derivation funds from other years do not qualify for such scrutiny?
I will discuss that in subsequent reflections.
But for today, let me lend my voice to the ongoing Fejiro and Co. vs Deacon Udom Emmanuel.
Like play, like play, Udom Emmanuel has become a Superstar.
Apologies to Akwa Ibom-born highlife music maestro, Sir Wilker Jackson.
Out of power and sight as Governor, but not out of mind.
His success, it is now apparent, haunts and drains the peace of his belligerent foes.
How else would you explicate, that they insist on not letting a sleeping dog lie?
Today, Udom this.
Tomorrow, Udom that.
The day after, Udom Came.
A week later, Udom went.
The man is steadily in the spotlight.
Unwittingly drafted onto the dais by political detractors.
Steeped in the smug of his constitutional weaning from the klieg light of a governorate.
I have refused to join issues with Citizen Fejiro Oliver nor his cohorts. Why give life to a distraction that should be starved to ignominy?
Unfortunately, we have helped Fejiro and his allies, to trend with their EFCC scaremongering.
Now we won’t hear anything else.
But a purport of petitioning ex-governor Udom Emmanuel for alleged financial impropriety.
That is hardly a novel idea or deserving of the hype.
What is special, exceptional or tragic about engaging with the EFCC?
At least, the Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose demystified the Commission’s tag of being a political witch-hunting tool.
On October 16, 2018, Fayose kept his word of turning himself into the EFCC.
Months before his handover, the Commission had stirred a media buzz.
He became a major headliner for tabloids and news bulletins.
“EFCC places Fayose on watch list”
“EFCC asks customs to place Fayose on watch list, prevent him from leaving Nigeria”
“EFCC freezes Gov. Fayose’s account”
“Protesters storm EFCC, demand Fayose’s prosecution over $2.1BN arms scandal”
The aforementioned and many more were captions and subtitles.
Creating intimidating tension around the fate of Fayose.
But he snubbed the EFCC’s grandstand.
Told them not to worry, that he will turn himself the moment his tenure ends.
Fact is, an EFCC invitation isn’t a death sentence.
That Tuesday, a few hours after the Monday deadline of his reign, Fayose reported at the EFCC Annex in Wuse II at exactly 12.59 pm, in keeping with his promise.
Accompanied to the EFCC by then Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike; and a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode.
Fayose wore a T-shirt with the inscription: “EFCC, I Am Here.”
He clutched a small travel bag and also bore a backpack.
“I came prepared in case they won’t let me go”, Fayose quipped. As he was led into the Commission by EFCC officials.
Finally in EFCC den, did they swallow him? The rest as we say is history.
He stole the thunder from the saga they were trying to build.
A far cry from the hide-and-seek nuisance that we witnessed between EFCC and immediate past Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello.
After all the hullabaloo with the White Lion of Kogi, what happened?
The rage around this matter justifiably waged by Akwa Ibom people against Fejiro is understandable.
Whether he acts as a proxy, paid piper, or is playing puppet to a hidden puppeteer, Truth is, this too shall pass.
But, it is high time we took the wind out of his sail.
If this is about 2027 election cycle calculations, we shall unravel it.
Are they gunning to destabilise the Governor Umo Eno-led administration? We shall see.
We shall exercise oversight over the Joint Committee of the Senate and House House of Representatives too.
If they come to equity, their hands must be washed clean.
This too will have an end.
Ahirika is the Head of the Media and Advocacy Unit, Ethical and Attitudinal Reorientation Commission (EARCOM), Akwa Ibom State.
