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| PHOTO CAPTION: CNPP CHAIRMAN, WILLIAM IKPE (R) AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY, JOHN DUKE (L) FIELDING QUESTIONS FROM JOURNALISTS IN UYO |
The leadership of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has described as fictitious reports alleging that the Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Inter-Party Affairs, Comrade Lawrence Udoh, siphoned the group's funds.
It could be recalled that the state chairman of Accord Party, Joe Itiaba, recently went public with claims that Governor Emmanuel released funds to the CNPP via the SA. According to him, the money was meant for the purpose of mobilizing members of political parties to support the governor during the expected rerun election in the state.
Fielding questions from journalists in Uyo, the CNPP Chairman, Engr. William Ikpe condemned authors of the allegation, describing it as a calculated attempt to soil the image of the SA and CNPP.
His words: "The allegation lacks any element of truth. Those people are not speaking for CNPP. I am the chairman of CNPP. Other members know the truth. Which rerun election is Joe Itiaba talking about? The governorship tussle was settled in court. How can the governor give money to opposition parties? So, Joe Itiaba can sell his party because of peanuts."
Issuing a seven days ultimatum to the masterminds to retract their statement or risk incurring the wrath of the law and CNPP, he warned Itiaba to desist from disgracing the forum because they don't exist for the purpose of sharing money.
While challenging Itiaba and co to produce foolproof evidence, he advised them not to hide under the cloak of nonexistent groups to fight the SA.
“If the Governor gives somebody appointment as SA and you start fighting the person because you feel it should have been you, it means if you're given SA, you will start fighting a commissioner."
He urged him to publish names of those who signed the purported document announcing the vote-of-no-confidence on the governor's aide.
Engr. Ikpe expressed his avowed commitment to steer the affairs of the forum meritoriously.
When contacted, the publicity secretary of CNPP, Barr. Mfon Peter urged Itiaba to exempt the forum from his agenda, saying as the publicity secretary, he will fight any attempt to blackmail the group.
Also speaking, the Assistant Secretary of the group, Hon. John Duke of the Advance Congress for Democracy (ACD), decried that Itiaba has stooped low to make public frivolous allegation capable of demeaning the group in the eyes of the public.
He urged any aggrieved member to deploy civilized means in settling grievances, adding that the task of nurturing the group overrides the pecuniary interest of any member.
The SA, when contacted, refused to give lengthy explanation, saying "a clear conscience fears no accusation."
By Ofonime Honesty/ Ephraim Archibong
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