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| Gov. Akpabio with his family at the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol Night in Uyo |
By Nse Peter
Governor Godswill Akpabio while declaring open the 7th
edition of the Akwa Ibom State Christmas Carol Night last Saturday, proclaimed
to the large congregation at the new Akwa Ibom International Stadium, “As you
join the 9999 choir to sing praises to God tonight, all your problems will go
away”. And the people responded with a loud ‘amen!’
But there is one particular family in Akwa Ibom State whose
problem may not likely go away so soon, at least in this Christmas season, even
if they were to say the loudest ‘amen’ to Governor Akpabio’s declaration. They
are the Ukpanahs.
The family of late Albert Ukpanah, from Ukanafun local
government area of Akwa Ibom State, is in sorrow and tears, and ironically,
their predicament is linked to Godswill Akpabio himself.
Albert Ukpanah, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, was shot dead at his home in Abak early this year,
and the state surprisingly went after Ukpanah’s only son, Odudu, whom they are
accusing of killing his own dad. Odudu, a UK-trained petroleum management
expert, has been in detention for more than seven months, allegedly on the
orders of Governor Akpabio.
The late Ukpanah, Think
Akwa Ibom! gathered, was in opposition against Godswill Akpabio becoming
the PDP’s candidate for Senate, Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Akwa Ibom
State.
Interestingly, the police investigation report says that the
assassination of Albert Ukpanah was politically motivated. Odudu Ukpanah, not
known to be involved in politics, has the backing of his mother and two sisters
who are defending him as being innocent, and advocating for his release.
On the night of the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol, Godswill Akpabio,
his wife, Onoma, and their five children – four beautiful girls, and one boy –
looked splendid in their expensive Christmas wears. The First family was the
star attraction of the carol night, obviously. The governor and the first lady
sat at the front row, with their only son and the youngest daughter, while the
three teenage girls sat directly behind them. Occasionally, the TV camera
zoomed in on the Akpabio girls, and the girls, enveloped by the immense
political and economic power wield by their parents, would let out some smiles.
But in contrast to the Akpabios, there is no beauty, no
carol, nor laughter for the Ukpanahs this Christmas. The family has been grief-stricken
because of the murder of their bread winner, Albert Ukpanah, and the continuous
incarceration of their only son, Odudu. Odudu’s mother, so traumatised, is said
to been suffering from cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
While the Akpabios were shining on the Akwa Ibom Christmas
Carol Night, the Ukpanahs were spending sleeping night on the Internet,
campaigning for the release of their brother, Odudu.
“I am trying so hard not to break an age long tradition of
putting gift under the Christmas tree on the 24th night for my daughter to
discover on the 25th. This morning she smiled at me and said I know Santa will
leave a gift for me tonight and I replied I hope Santa is happy. I wanted to
cry but she will ask why and we have kept the news of her uncle's imprisonment
away from her because she was really broken at the loss of her grandpa and we
don't have the heart to continue to break her little heart.” says Uduak, a
lawyer and the eldest daughter of late Albert Ukpanah.
“This year Christmas means nothing to me. I wish it were
possible for me to stay all by myself but it not. I have to pretend just so my
daughter and nieces can enjoy the season, whilst my mom is drawing strength
from my staying sane and coordinated,” she said.
Deep into the night, during the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol,
the TV camera caught Akpabio’s little son sleeping away, his head resting on
her mother, Unoma’s laps. And the carol went on. But for Odudu Ukpanah, he will
have to continue to endure the sad and lonely nights inside dirty prison cell.
“I want to wake up from this nightmare. It's really a bad
dream. No one should suffer this much,” writes Odudu’s eldest sister, Uduak.
Editor’s note: Please join #ReleaseOduduUkpanah campaign by calling on
Governor Godswill Akpabio to release Odudu Ukpanah.
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