Group Condemns hate campaigns against Senatorial aspirant, confered Excellence Award

Young Professionals in Eket Senatorial District have condemned the hate media campaign against the immediate past Chief of Staff to the Governor and Commissioner for Work, Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen.

The Group in a statement signed by Barr. Ansalem Enodien, Dr. AbasiUbong Asam, and Mr. Kingsley James said, “we are most saddened and disappointed that young people who should dissipate their energy in developing their destinies and better the society are allowing themselves to be used to cast vituperation, denunciation, and tar on the hard-earned reputation of Mr. Inyang-eyen in the name of politics, and wishes to caution that this must stop forthwith”.

According to the young Professionals, Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen’s reputation remained unshaken as he has, like any other person in the state, contributed meritoriously as Commissioner for Works and as Chief of Staff to the governor and contributed significantly to the development of the State.

The group, therefore, wondered why Ephriam’s interest to serve his people at the Red Chambers in 2023, should attract unnecessary commentaries, which they reasoned like any Akwa Ibom son, has the quality, capacity, and potential to aspire for the office.

“Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen remains on his honour as a Statesman, having served the State meritoriously as commissioner for works for five years and as Chief of Staff to the Governor with resounding records. The aspiration of Mr. Inyangeyen to serve the people of Eket Senatorial District at the Red Chambers is born out of his desire to serve his people, and it is his inalienable right, and there is no reason for this series of hate campaigns, insults, and abuses on his person”.

The Eket Senatorial District Young Professionals specifically condemned the gang-up of Eket and Uyo Senatorial Districts Media Professionals to tarnish the image and the reputation of the Akparawa Inyangeyen.

“The recent statement by a group of hired and mercantile journalists, who claimed to be Eket and Uyo Senatorial Districts Media Professionals, clearly shows that the noble profession of journalism and the sanctity of the profession have been besmirched and sacrificed on the altar of pecuniary gains.

“This group of mercenaries who called themselves journalists failed to understand that Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen is entitled to his views and opinions, and he is at liberty to support, galvanized support for any aspirant of his choice.

“It is worrisome that a group that should be in the vanguard of social enlightenment and development journalism through balanced and unbiased reportage is now paid to carry out hate campaigns and image slandering against the persons who have contradicting views or political interests different from that of their paymaster” the statement states.

The group advised those who are against the Senatorial aspiration of Akparawa Inyangeyen to contest against him at the polls and not to blackmail and malign his reputation.

“We, therefore, strongly warn this visionless group, their fermenters, and paymasters to stop this hate campaign against our grand patron, Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen. Let those who think they have what it takes to defeat him do that at the poll and not take to blackmails and image slandering”.

Meanwhile, Youths of Oruk Anam, under the aegis of Ibesit Nnung Ikot Clan, in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have honoured the former Commissioner for Works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen, with an Award of Excellence.

The award was presented to Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen, who is also the former Chief of Staff to Governor Udom Emmanuel, as part of highlights during the commissioning of a newly-built modern market by Senator representing Uyo Senatorial District in the National Assembly and 2023 Akwa Ibom Governorship aspirant, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (a.k.a OBA), at Nnung Ikot Udoffiong, a village in Oruk Anam.

In appreciation of the award which he described as “a surprised present” by the youth, Inyangeyen said he will continue to seize every opportunity that comes his way whether in an appointive or elected position to contribute to the growth and development of Akwa Ibom State.

The market project commissioned by OBA was initiated, completed, and donated to the community by the suspended Vice Chairman of Oruk Anam Local Government Area, Hon Abasiama Etokakpan, an indigene of the area.

Sen. OBA who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Imaobong Bassey Albert, had on his entourage Chairman on the Occasion, Mr. Ubong Brownson; the Director-General of OBA 2023 campaign Think Tank, the Akwa UbokAbasi Campaign Organization, Bishop Andrew Uwanta; immediate past SSA to the Governor on Grassroots Mobilization, Elder Enefiok Ekefre; and a political factor in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Sir Emem Akpabio; etc.

Present also were the Village Head of Nnung Ikot Udoffiong, Chief Ufoffot Jack and his executive, youth and women groups, as well as OBA loyalists, supporters, and friends across other local government areas.