[ADVERTORIAL] Aniekan Umanah’s advertorial: SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT The attention of Umana Okon Umana, former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State government, has been drawn to a two-page advertorial in the Nation of 9th of August 2013, signed by Mr. Aniekan Umanah, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Communication. In paragraph seven of the said publication, the commissioner stated that Mr. Umana, former SSG, was advised to resign his appointment by Governor Godswill Akpabio “following the declaration of Mr. Umana’s gubernatorial ambition for 2015 and commencement of campaigns as widely reported in the media…” The claim in the advertorial that Mr. Umana Okon Umana had publicly declared his intention to run for governor in 2015 and commenced his election campaigns is untrue and misleading, and can only help to reinforce a priori falsehood earlier planted in the media by mischief makers, if it is not challenged. Mr. Umana made no formal public declaration to run for office of governor, and did not start any election campaigns. All the hype built around the so-called declaration was nothing more than the regular rumor peddled by mischief mongers. Any position to the contrary must have to be supported by evidence of such declaration and electoral campaigns, such as video clips or text of such speeches or a list of attendance by journalists at such declaration ceremony. It is instructive to note that unlike all previous press statements from Mr. Umana which he either signed himself or were signed by his media adviser, Iboro Otongaran, this so-called gubernatorial declaration was not signed by anybody. If anyone has any evidence that contradicts this position, let the person make it public. We wish to also note that the press has been feasting on the stories of possible aspirations by politicians, not just in Akwa Ibom State, but all over the country, though in this instant case, it was not just a case of media obsession, it was obviously a case of a planted story for the purpose of a witch hunt. The purported public declaration story was planted not only to embarrass, but ultimately to discredit the former SSG. The question of gubernatorial declaration was never an issue. Mr. Umana was never queried on that matter, just as he was never issued any query during his service as SSG on any other issue relating to the discharge of his office. If the question of gubernatorial declaration was an issue of concern to the governor, he would have issued Mr. Umana a query to explain himself, and Mr. Umana would have denied this allegation of a phantom public declaration for governorship of the state. Mr. Umana has utmost respect for the office of the governor. The relationship between the former SSG and the governor remains cordial, brotherly and friendly. It is within this context that the governor dedicated a significant part of his speech on 30 July 2013 at the inauguration of the new SSG to the commendation of the Mr. Umana, wherein he described the former SSG as “exceptionally competent.” The governor followed up this public commendation with a letter of appreciation to the former SSG. In both the public commendation and the letter of appreciation to Mr. Umana, the governor made no mention of Umana’s purported declaration of intention to run for governor or did he make any reference to any electoral campaigns. We would like to stress that the governor has the power to hire and fire, and for Mr. Umana it was a rare priviledge to be given the opportunity to serve as secretary to government for six years, for which he is very grateful to the governor. It is within this context that Mr. Umana happily attended the inauguration of his successor and followed it up with a press statement where he congratulated his successor and wished him every success in office. And in the same press statement, the former SSG also thanked Governor Akpabio for giving him the opportunity to serve, wished him well and called on Akwa Ibom people to keep up their unflagging support for the Akpabio administration. The advertorial by Mr. Aniekan Umana can therefore be seen to be inconsistent with the facts and circumstances of Mr.Umana’s disengagement from government and his relationship with the governor. This is why we have to set the record straight. Iboro Otongaran Media Adviser to umana Okon Umana
Posted on: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 19:18:24 +0000