FORMER MINISTER FROWNS AT RECENT MEDIA TRIAL OF UDOM EMMANUEL, BY FEJIRO OLIVER, DISMISSED IT AS A THINLY VEILED EXTORTION SCHEME:
–Absolves Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of any complicities in the issue. Says he is focused on his National issues and can’t be involved in such frivolities.
– Criticizes Senator Ita Enang for aligning himself with Oliver’s tactics, rather than championing legislative reforms against corruption.
A recent Media Trial of the immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State by an indigene of Delta State, one Mr. Fejiro Oliver, has ignited a firestorm of controversy in Akwa Ibom State.
The action of Fejiro who is a self-proclaimed, USA based, anti-corruption crusader, has been dismissed as a “thinly veiled extortion scheme” by former Minister of the Federal Republic/Rep Rt. Hon. Chief Nduese Essien.
In a Press Conference recently held at his country home, Nta-Isip, Ikot Ibiok, in Eket, the former National Lawmaker questions Oliver’s tactics, says his tactics are designed to sensationalize and intimidate, rather than genuinely pursue accountability.
Oliver’s organization, based in the United States, set up an African office: South South Zonal Office in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, on February 3, 2025. This move has raised eyebrows, given Oliver’s history of targeting oil-rich states.
In his statement, the Political leader of Akwa South Senatorial District, says the media trial began with Oliver’s allegations against Emmanuel, despite lacking tangible evidence: Oliver claimed that Emmanuel was in a state of panic and had dispatched a team to Nigeria Inspector General of Police, IGP, to block the petition.
However, this allegation has been dismissed, by Chief Essien. He says that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) is not a gatekeeper for petition submissions to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), and wondered how and why the IGP can be in a position to stop any petition from getting to the Anti-Craft Agency.
Former Minister observed that the petition was eventually submitted on January 21, 2025, two weeks after the initial announcement by Ojiero. This delay has led to accusations that Oliver was “fishing for evidence” to support his claims. This delay undermines the credibility of Oliver’s allegations and suggests a lack of concrete evidence, Essien submits.
Hon. Nduese Essien, a former critic of Governor UDOM Emmanuel, also denounced Oliver’s tactics, stating that accountability should be pursued through legitimate channels, not sensational media trials. Essien argued that Oliver’s approach undermines the rule of law and creates a culture of fear and intimidation.
Senator Ita Enang has been criticized by his former colleague at the Federal House of Representative, Rt. Hon. Essien, for aligning himself with Oliver’s tactics, rather than championing legislative reforms against corruption. He argue that Enang’s involvement lends credibility to Oliver’s questionable methods and undermines the integrity of the legislative process.
Chief Essien also observed that the controversy has also drawn in Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who has been accused of being involved in the media trial. However, this claim has been dismissed by Essien as absurd, given Akpabio’s huge national responsibilities.
However Akpabio’s office had since denied any involvement in the controversy, stating that the Senate President is focused on his national duties.
Nduese Essien also noticed ethnic coloration in the Media trial and have advised the people of Akwa Ibom State to reject ethnic undertones and sensationalism, instead should focus on fairness, objectivity, and the rule of law.
Essien argued that Oliver’s tactics are designed to exploit ethnic divisions and create a sense of crisis, rather than genuinely pursue accountability.
With the State experiencing a new era of peace and inclusive governance under Governor Pastor Umo Eno, Chief Essien warn anybody from any State and his cohorts to desist from creating tension, hate, divisive tendencies and ill feelings in Akwa Ibom.
Governor Eno’s administration has been praised for its efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Oliver’s allegations will be substantiated or whether the media trial will be exposed as a thinly veiled extortion scheme, as Chief Essien claimed. All fingers crossed. All ears opened, All Eyes Opened.
Daniel Edon is a Development Communication Journalist, Publisher of The Bubbles Newspaper and Umoenotimes Newspaper.
