Citizens of Akwa Ibom State are gearing for a showdown with the state governor, Udom Emmanuel, over the proposed N9.1b second Akwa Ibom governor’s lodge in Lagos.
This was disclosed in press statement signed by a Lagos-based lawyer and Human Rights activist, Mr Inibehe Effiong.
According to Mr Effiong, the protest will hold in Lagos against the proposed second Akwa Ibom governor’s lodge in Lagos that will gulp a whopping 9.1 billion Naira.
Lamenting, the Human Rights activist wondered how the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly will approved the said sum despite the palpable economic condition in the country.
He said: “It is utterly ridiculous and unacceptable for a State government to conceive such an irrational project, let alone appropriate public funds for it, despite the financial challenges facing states which calls for prudence in the management of resources.
“This is a slap on every decent Akwa Ibom person.
“Except Mr Udom Emmanuel can point at the location of Lagos State Governor’s Lodge in Akwa Ibom State, his plan will not be tolerated.”
He said that “there is no sensible reason why Nigerian governors should be building their official residences outside their States”, given that “the administrative functions of a State government is constitutionally circumscribed to its geographical location.”
He argued that “Lagos is a State, just like Akwa Ibom. It is only sovereign states (nations) that maintain diplomatic buildings, embassies and missions abroad.
“Is it not strange that the same governor Udom Emmanuel who has been advocating for Mobil Producing Nigeria Limited to relocate from Lagos to their operational base in Akwa Ibom is now seeking to build a second official residence in Lagos, outside his own operational base?.
“If the governor is so bereft of developmental ideas, rather than build a second Akwa Ibom liaison office in Lagos, he can use the state’s funds to rehabilitate all the lunatics roaming the streets of Akwa Ibom.”
Taunting Governor Emmanuel’s banking and managerial skills, he stated:
“Here is a governor who boasted publicly about his certification by a Business School; a man who was handpicked from the banking sector to lead.
“Today, no one is left in doubt about the futility of his much touted credentials. What has Akwa Ibom gained from the governor’s so-called banking experience?
“After building a palatial mansion for himself within the first six months of his pathetic administration, Udom Emmanuel is now on a mission to build a second lodge in Lagos.
“It is shameful that we do not have a vigilant and independent House of Assembly in Akwa Ibom State that knows its functions.
“The House members, including the Speaker, should ALL cover their heads in shame. They are all a total disgrace. They are not useful. Shame on them.”
In response to the indefensible proposal aimed at stealing and dissipating public funds, therefore, Effiong said that there will be a “protest in Lagos against the crazy decision by governor Udom Emmanuel to build a second Akwa Ibom State “governor’s lodge” or “laison office” or whatever it is termed with a whopping sum of N9.1 billion.”
He vowed to mobilise Akwa Ibom people in Lagos State to resist the “crazy project”, saying that “Akwa Ibom does not need any governor’s lodge outside the State. Not even in the Federal Capital Territory.”
He concluded by saying that the date of the protest will be communicated in due course and that Akwa Ibom people in Lagos that will like to participate in the upcoming protest should be prepared.
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