For the first time after his
disengament from the government of Akwa Ibom State as SSG, Mr. Umana Okon Umana
spoke to the press. He has been press shy since he left office, but recently
the technocrat-turned politician decided to break his silence. The reason for
doing this underscores the importance he attaches to the main reason for the
request for the interview, which is his recent reconciliation with his Nsit
Ubium brother and top-notch politician, Senator Effiong Dickson Bob. During his
constituency briefing recently in Nsit Ubium, the member representing the area
in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon Onofiok Luke, tried a
reconciliation gambit. He called on Apostle Isaiah Isong to lead a prayer of
reconciliation that would mark the breaking of the proverbial ice on the frosty
political relationship between the two key politicians in the area. Prayers
said and signs of forgives exchanged, the press went to town with the historic
reconciliation. Days later, a post was made on Ibom Forum and Ibibio Nation,
two prominent yahoo groups of Akwa Ibom people on the Internet. Mr. Thompson
Essien, Oregun-based Akwa Ibom political and social commentator, said in the
post that he spoke on telephone with Senator Effiong Bob and went on to
reproduce the content of his telephone conversation with the Distinguished
Senator. Among other things allegedly said by Bob was that the reconciliations
only exist in the imaginations of those who reported them. He accused the
former SSG as being a part of the ills of the Akpabio era and distanced himself
from both men. In his response Umana maintained that whatever was the problem
between him and Senator Bob was nothing personal, rather than political
differences that should in the spirit of "No permanent friend and no
permanent enemies" are forgiven and reconciled.
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| Umana Okon Umana, former Akwa Ibom SSG |
WEEKLY INSIGHT: There is a statement credited to
Senator Effiong Bob, now trending on the internet, saying that the
reconciliation effort initiated by the member representing Nsit Ubium state
constituency, Hon Onofiok Luke was a ruse and the figment of people's
imagination. What is your reaction to that?
UMANA: First, I must say that I have the
greatest respect for my brother, Senator Effiong Bob. He is a distinguished
personality and a very successful politician from my local government area.
What people thought was a frosty relationship was nothing personal. It was
political. Having said that, I will also add that I respect what the man of God
did at the event organized by Hon Onofiok Luke. He prayed for peace and
reconciliation. As a politician I know that in politics there are no permanent
foes but permanent interest. As Christians we must embrace peace, forgiveness
and reconciliation.
