By Anietie Akpan
The Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals have issued a strongly worded response to Mr. Anietie Ekong, Media Aide to the Senate President, following his recent article titled “Choose You Whom You Shall Serve.”
Anietie Ekong, a media aide to the Senate President had taken a swipe at the serving government officials for identifying with immediate past Governor Udom Emmanuel who visited the State for a cousin’s burial last week.
Ekong, in his published diatribe, called for the sack of all aides of the Governor who were seen in the company of the former Governor during that visit.
But in a swift reaction through a statement signed by Comrade Joseph Ekong, Director of Strategic Communication, the group accused Mr. Ekong of sowing division in Akwa Ibom politics, describing his commentary as “idle mischief” and “kitchen-table gossip.”
The media professionals highlighted the peace-driven leadership style of Governor Umo Eno, who has consistently preached inclusivity and respect for elders across political lines.
They recalled the Governor’s stance at calling for respect to all leaders in the State.
According to the statement, Mr. Ekong’s writings directly contradict this philosophy, raising suspicions about his true intentions.
“Is his mission to ignite war where peace reigns, or to prove himself more Catholic than the Pope? Or is this simply a job application disguised as political commentary, hoping to replace appointees?” the group queried.
The statement further pointed out that Governor Umo Eno has welcomed all Akwa Ibomites, irrespective of political affiliation, into the fold of governance.
Even the Senate President, Ekong’s principal has demonstrated inclusiveness by sharing the stage with PDP leaders at APC events.
“If Senator Akpabio himself embraces unity, why then does his aide preach disunity? Does Mr. Ekong now claim to understand loyalty more than his master?” the group asked.
The Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals dismissed as unsubstantiated Mr. Ekong’s claim that unnamed appointees had referred to Governor Eno as “too weak.”
“Where are your facts? Who are these phantom appointees? Name them, if you dare. Otherwise, your article is nothing but market gossip unworthy of a man who once held a public communications desk,” the statement declared.
The group also revisited what they described as Mr. Ekong’s “spectacular fall from grace” during his time at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
They cited the infamous “Ghana Must Go” photo controversy, which they say embarrassed his principal and led to his eventual removal in 2021.
“A man who lost his seat for careless media conduct should be the last to lecture others on loyalty and responsibility,” the group argued.
In a rhetorical flourish, the media professionals posed a series of questions aimed at exposing what they described as the hollowness of Mr. Ekong’s position:
Since when did taking a selfie with a former Governor become treasonable?
If inclusivity is weakness, then what exactly is strength,hatred and division?
“If Senator Akpabio can embrace PDP leaders at APC functions, why should others be vilified for showing respect to political fathers?”
Concluding, the Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals accused Mr. Ekong of being stuck in the past while Akwa Ibom moves forward under Governor Eno’s ARISE Agenda.
“Akwa Ibom has moved on. The Governor has moved on.
“Even your principal, the Senate President, has moved on in the spirit of inclusivity.
“It is only you who remain chained to bitterness, scribbling division on Facebook while others build the future. History has already judged your credibility,don’t let your pen bury it deeper.”
