Onofiok Luke |
By Nse Peter
The representative of Nsit Ubium State Constituency in the
Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr. Onofiok Luke has disassociated himself
from an opinion article disparaging his political opponent, Mr. Ekokoi Solomon
who is seeking to contest against Luke for the House of Assembly ticket of the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The article, authored by a journalist named Ubong Sampson,
and published, Tuesday, in the Community Pulse
newspaper, severely attacked Ekokoi Solomon, calling him ‘errand boy,’ ‘stooge’,
‘chaff’ and ‘comic with underdeveloped
talents’ while alleging that he (Solomon) was part of a ‘political deceit’
against Nsit Ubium.
Sampson’s article, though appeared to be a reaction to one
that was earlier written by Mr. Ekokoi Solomon against Mr. Luke, was obviously
to rubbish Luke’s opponent and portray him as not being a good enough
alternative to Luke in the forthcoming election. “Can one find anything interesting and useful
in a refuse bin?” the article said derogatory of Ekokoi Solomon.
But Onofiok Luke has come out publicly to wash his hands off
the said article, describing Ekokoi Solomon as “a brother and friend whom he
holds in very high esteem.”
The House of Assembly member who is currently attending AU-sponsored
youth forum in Nairobi, Kenya, spoke through a public statement signed by his media
assistant, Mr. Kufre Okon. He said the opinion in the article by Ubong Sampson
does not represent his views and thoughts, and that his style of politics is
about discussing issues and not people.
“He (Onofiok Luke) appreciates the author of this article in
trying to show him support, but noted that this should not be at the expense of
another person's or perceived opponent's good image,” the statement noted. “Luke
is an ardent believer in the possibility of playing politics without rancor and
bitterness. He thinks it is only in a peaceful and tolerant political
environment that public good can be better met.”
Both Luke and Solomon are barristers.The attitude of Onofiok Luke in distancing himself from attack on political opponent is a rare occurrence in Akwa Ibom politics where mudslinging and outright blackmail seem to be a constant feature.
Recently, one Uwem Umanah, a younger brother to the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah derogatorily described the former governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah as being senile. (in case you missed the story, read it here)
“In my context, senility means, ‘Weakness of the brain
resulting from old age’. Having defined senility, how many elders do their
brains get stronger from their 70s? While I don't expect mine to be, Attah's
can't be either!” Uwem Umanah said in
his defence when asked by many people to retract his statement and apologise to
Obong Attah.
Till date, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan
Umanah is yet to come out to disassociate himself from the statement made by
his younger brother against the former governor.
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