*Think Akwa Ibom! Poem of the Week* Umana: The Story of Blood, Tears And Courage, By Nse Peter

At first, they thought it was him that the Emperor wanted as successor, until the Emperor’s wife, with her feeble legs, kicked open the strong door and desecrated the office of the man they themselves once revered as ‘the engine room’ of the Akpabio administration.

Yes, Unoma Akpabio’s legs are feeble, and during her reign she was a poor and disgusting counterfeit of Mother Theresa. But she has a heart of rock, and under her feet lays the ruins of many families. Men of money and power knelt before her.

They betrayed Umana. They mocked at him just as they did to Victor Attah, Don Etiebet, Ufot Ekaete, Edet Mkpubre, Samuel Akpan, Ime Umanah….

And the Akpabios – Godswill, Unoma, Prince, Ibanga, Emem, Okoronkwo – were unleashed against the people. They plundered the commonwealth of Akwa Ibom people.

With hunger as their weapon, they subdued the people and turned them into sycophants and beggars in their own land. With state-sponsored kidnappings and killings, the blood – blood of the innocents – they watered and sustained the foundation of an evil regime. Widows, Orphans cried to high heavens, while the evil men drank wine mixed with human blood and worshipped their dead ancestors at their Ukana shrine.

And soon the story changed. Umana, the stone that PDP rejected, became they cornerstone of APC in Akwa Ibom State. ‘Change’ was the new slogan on the lips of the oppressed.

Change was in the air, it was coming down to Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Eket, Oron, Eastern Obollo.

Behold what a surprised but pleasant sight it was, to see Umana, ex-career civil servant, lead a protest march for a new Akwa Ibom State!

But the men of darkness refused to give up. They went after Umana and other men of light. They had killed many before, and were ready to kill many more. They had killed Albert Ukpanah and falsely accused the only son, Odudu Ukpanah, of killing his father. After all, if more money cannot buy political power, a gunshot through the head of the opponents could do it.

They killed Okon Uwah in broad daylight.

They killed Ime Umanah…. Oh, they killed a friend of the poor and a helper of the struggle for freedom. They killed Ime Umanah. Oh, they killed him. They killed him.

But God gave Umana courage and made him unafraid of them, unafraid of death, and brought Victor Attah, Don Etiebet as destiny helpers.

Akpabio and the gang went mad on Election Day. They killed the people…..

….They injured many. Just to steal the people’s mandate and put in their stooge, Udom Emmanuel.

But God, the ultimate schemer, removed the cover over Akpabio’s head; took Goodluck Jonathan out and brought Muhammadu Buhari in.

Today, Umana is at the Temple of Justice to put the Akpabios to shame, get justice and freedom for the people.

God, this cry must stop…….

….This chain must be broken. Wake up, Akwa Ibom! Wake up! Wake up! Freedom is coming! 

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