KUDOS TO AKPABIO ON FIGHT AGAINST CULTISM

Editor,

KUDOS TO AKPABIO ON FIGHT AGAINST CULTISM

Recently in The Nation and Daily Independent newspapers, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State expects repudiation of all cult groups. The governor who said "Akwa Ibom is bound to move forward and God will continue to fight its battles” further added that the repudiation is expected to “begin from those holding cabinet positions and spread to cover all political appointees serving across the State”. This merits congratulating him for so positing.  

The Governor’s comments insinuate that he has now discovered that there exists cultists in his government and they are giving him bad name. He must have watched helplessly, the increasing atrocities associated with cultism in Akwa Ibom hence he decided to ensure it becomes a thing of the past.

It is on record that one of his former cabinet members, Dr. Chris Ekong, who many allege is a cultist, is presently facing charges bordering on kidnapping and murder, brought against him by the State Police Command. It will be recalled; Ekong was used to secure the release of an Ikot Ekpene based Lebanese construction worker who was kidnapped sometime in 2008. Though Ekong confirmed that he collected large sum of cash (in Ghana-must-go bags), running into millions of Naira from the residence of the Works Commissioner for the ransom payment, he was alleged to have ‘docked’ large portion of the cash. This led to him being shown the way out of the present Executive Council of Akwa Ibom State.

To help Governor Akpabio, there are those cult-like associations that were formed by sycophants to propagate his second term in office; one is talking about groups like AKPF, ADV, etc too numerous to mention. If he is sincere, which I believe he is now, he should ensure they are dismantled. Let him take benefit of doubt that he did not know what those would turn out at the point he encouraged their formations.

Dr. Thomas Uduak-Abasi, Plot 839 Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos.