Essien Udim people condemn Unoma Akpabio for insulting Umana

Mrs. Unoma Akpabio

The people of Essien Udim Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, have asked Governor Godswill Akpabio’s wife, Unoma to tender apology to the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in the state, Umana Okon Umana for making insulting remarks against him.

Mrs. Unoma Akpabio during the Peoples Democratic Party governorship rally in Essien Udim reportedly said that Umana was as short as a broom and that her husband won’t hand over power to a short man.

The Essien Udim people, under the aegis of Essien Udim Council on Political Affairs, condemned Unoma Akpabio’s statement against Umana, describing it as being derogatory and unacceptable.

In Annang tradition, women don’t raise their voices while talking with men, let alone insult men in the public, the Council said in a press statement issued on Monday, while warning the governor’s wife not to allow her political differences with Umana to degenerate to a level where she would violate Annang tradition and becomes a bad influence for youths in the area.

The press statement was signed by the President of the Essien Udim Council on Political Affairs, Amb Aniefiok Brownson.

“We are aware that Mrs. Unoma Akpabio is of the Igbo ethnic group by birth, and it is not our place here to discuss the Igbo culture, what it allows or forbids. Suffice Mrs. Akpabio is married to an Annang man in the person of Chief Godswill Akpabio, we expect her to respect and uphold the culture and tradition of Annang people,” the statement said.

“The Council hereby calls on Mr. Unoma Akpabio to tender an apology to Mr. Umana Okon Umana, and to stop further remarks against the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, less she incur the wrath of the Annang elders and bring a curse upon herself.

“Mr. Umana Okon Umana, irrespective of the political party he belongs, remains a true friend and a helper to the Annang people. It is on record that without the support and sacrifice of Umana Okon Umana, Chief Godswill Akpabio would not have become the governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2007,” the statement added.