The Akwa Ibom State Government has distanced itself from a story published in an Uyo-based local tabloid, Weekend Insight, of January 17-19, 2014, with the title ‘Joy in A’Ibom Govt quarters, as Akpabio sacks Tukur’.

The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, in a release described the story as pure fabrication and act of mischief, meant to serve the parochial political interest of its sponsors.

According to the Commissioner, “Governor Akpabio, as a loyal party man and the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, has always acted in the interest of the party at all times.”

Mr. Umanah maintained that Chief Akpabio has great respect for the immediate past National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. He noted that preliminary investigations have revealed that the story was sponsored by desperate politicians in the state who are bent on creating confusion and setting the Governor against high ranking political figures at the national level.

The Commissioner recalled that Governor Godswill Akpabio led Akwa Ibom State delegates to the national convention and voted 100 per cent to produce Alhaji Tukur as PDP National Chairman and has always supported the leadership of the party.

He called on members of the public to discountenance the contents of the story and be wary of moves by desperate politicians who are on the prowl with the sole aim of causing disaffection and creating unnecessary tension in the polity.

Umanah described Governor Akpabio as an ardent supporter of the National Leader of PDP, President Goodluck Jonathan. He assured that the governor would never be distracted by the activities of merchants of lies, but would continue to remain focused on the uncommon transformation of Akwa Ibom State as well as peace and progress in the country.

•Photo shows ex-PDP National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur.