Cpfr Press Release: Mr. Idongesit Ituen is a disgrace to Itu people of Akwa Ibom State

Hon. Idongesit Ituen

May 15, 2015.

Public Statement by cpfr

MR. IDONGESIT ITUEN IS A DISGRACE TO ITU PEOPLE OF AKWA IBOM STATE

Hon. Idongesit Ituen, member-elect for Itu State Constituency, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, wrote the following statement on Thursday, May 14, 2015, on the Facebook wall of the editor- in-chief of Weekly Insight newspaper, Mr. David Augustine: “David, what stake do you have in the Akwa Ibom project? You’re crying more than the bereaved, day by day you’re painting a picture of one who is not happy with the developmental strides of our Governor. Kindly channel your energy to the under- development of your state and you'll be highly celebrated there.”

Hon Idongesit Ituen was responding to Mr. David Augustine’s update on Facebook, in which the editor posted a photograph, an artist impression of what the Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre would have looked like if it were completed, and went ahead to say “15 Days to go! Still looking for this complex since 2008. Still asking how much has so far been spent.”

Mr. Idongesit Ituen’s comment was in support of a similar one from one Mr. Enobong Peter Umanah who told David Augustine, “Go to Abia state and start criticizing your governor, leave our governor alone.”

Hon. Idongesit Ituen, the member-elect of the Sixth Assembly is playing the ethnic card here. He is shamefully telling Mr. David Augustine to shut up, back away from his professional duty as a journalist, or relocate from Akwa Ibom State simply because the Weekly Insight editor-in-chief is a non-indigene of the state.

It is regrettable that such a narrow-minded fellow like Idongesit Ituen will soon be having a pride of place in what is supposed to be a hallowed chamber of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly when it is inaugurated, where he will be expected to make laws and advocate for the unity, peace and development of the state.

Is Idongesit Ituen not aware that there are several journalists from Akwa Ibom State like Mr. Ray Ekpu (the co-founder of Newswatch magazine), Mr. Akpandem James (formerly of the Daily Independent newspaper) and Soni Daniel (a regional editor of Vanguard newspaper) who have either successfully practiced journalism or are still practicing it outside Akwa Ibom State, in different parts of Nigeria?

Mr. Idongesit Ituen is a clear proof that there is something fundamentally wrong with Akwa Ibom politics, most especially the process of electing political leaders in the state. The member-elect is a disgrace to the people of Itu State Constituency in Akwa Ibom State. He is a bad omen to the soon-to-be-inaugurated Sixth Assembly in Akwa Ibom State.

The Committee for Political Freedom & Responsibility (cpfr), Nigeria, hereby rejects and condemns the irresponsible remarks made by Hon. Idongesit Ituen against the editor-in-chief of Weekly Insight newspaper. We call on well-meaning Akwa Ibom people and other Nigerians to rise up and condemn Hon. Ituen’s statement which is a threat to press freedom in the country.

Mr. Anthony Bassey,

Co-ordinator, Committee for Political Freedom & Responsibility, Nigeria