The Ibibio People’s Union, Inc, USA, has dragged Akwa Ibom State governor, Barrister Godswill Obot Akpabio, before the US Government, accusing him of sundry crimes. In a petition submitted on Tuesday, July 10, to the United States House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights, Ibibio People’s Union accused Akpabio of several misdeeds, among them the murder or kidnapping of at least 93 persons.

Entitled “U.S Policy Toward Nigeria: West Africa's Troubled Titan,” the petition was signed by Thompson Essien, President and Representative of Ibibio People’s Union, Inc, USA.

Justifying the action of Ibibio People’s Union, Essien said in a statement: “Tens of innocent people have been assassinated under the leadership watch of Godswill Akpabio. Several others have been kidnapped and locked into automobile booths like goats, while some have been arrested, detained, and prosecuted with trumped-up charges – all these heinous atrocities happened, and are still happening, so that Godswill Obot Akpabio can remain in office as a governor of a tiny state in Nigeria known as Akwa Ibom.

“Hundreds of complaints and petitions have been written and submitted to the President of Nigeria, yet no positive response from the office of the presidency has been forthcoming. As far as President Jonathan is concerned, whatever happens in Akwa Ibom State is of little or no concern to him; it is politics as usual. Meanwhile, the families of victims of these crimes are wailing in silence and gnashing their teeth in suffering. For this reason, IPU decided to address the issue by taking the matter to the Congress of United States – the last bastion of a true democracy.

“We are ready to expose all the evils of Akwa Ibom State under the leadership of Godswill Akpabio to the outside world. Perhaps by doing so, future leaders will think twice before they indulge in the same style of governance with which Akpabio has taken pride pride, but which has caused the lives of hundreds of Akwa Ibom people.”

Transport & Business Express will shortly publish the full petition by the IPU.

Photo caption
Governor Akpabio