 |
| Mr. Uwem Umanah |
By Nse Peter
Angry Akwa Ibom people over the weekend took to the social
media to rain curses on Mr. Uwem Umanah, the younger brother of the
Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah for describing former governor
of the state, Obong Victor Attah as senile.
The news of Uwem Umanah’s derogatory remark against Obong
Victor Attah was first reported by Think Akwa Ibom! which culled the remarks
from a mail he (Uwem Umanah) sent to an online discussion group called Ibom Chronicle.
In his mail, Uwem Umanah had questioned the rationale behind
Ibibio people orgainising a grand reception for Attah almost 14 years after the
former governor left power.
“My problem is that
they (UOU and OBA) have chosen to take advantage of Attah's age, and senile
disposition,” Uwem Umanah said in the mail which he also sent to three other
notable online discussion groups – TalkHard,
AkwaGlobal, and NaijaObserver – hoisted on Yahoo! platform.
He went on to say, “The old man doesn’t know that these guys
wanna rubbish him, by using the ‘reception’ to further their selfish political
ambition! What was UOU and OBA’s relationship with Obong Attah when they were
in government? Oh they have suddenly realized that the old man deserves to be
celebrated, or that Ibibio should be united, because they want to occupy the
hilltop mansion?”
When other commentators in the forums objected to his choice
of words and persuaded him to retract his statement, Uwem Umanah stood his
ground and gave his own definition of senility, thus: “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!”
Akwa Ibom people immediately reacted with torrent of
criticisms and curses on Uwem Umanah as soon as they read about his remark.
Think Akwa Ibom! brings to you unedited reactions from some
of the readers.
Please read more after the cut...........
