Enang’s Defence Of Ruga In Akwa Ibom: Folly Or Food Politics?

By: Ifiok Itiaba, Uyo

Attempts by the Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang to defend the controversial RUGA settlement plan of the Federal Government has provoked strong reaction from Akwa Ibom State where he hails from.

There was widespread criticism on his statement last week urging Southern governors to support the RUGA programme by providing lands for the implementation.

However the recent attack on him regarding the same issue is coming from the state government itself.

Enang appears to have aroused the ire of the government last Saturday during a live radio programme in the state where he alleged that the cows and Fulani herders in the state were respectively owned and hired by some top politicians in the state.

He was quoted to have said “All the noise people are making is to create panic and confusion everywhere. More than 90 percent of the cows you see in Akwa Ibom are owned by our people. 

“They are owned by retired generals, former military and civilian governors, former and serving senators, members of the House of Assembly, speakers and deputy speakers, local government chairmen, serving and former House of Representatives members, former and present leaders of the PDP, including those of the APC”

But in a swift reaction the state government through the Commissioner of Information, Charles Udoh  on Sunday attributed his attempts to defend the controversial RUGA programme to his selfishness and desperation to remain in power.

The statement reads in part, “The action of Senator Enang was fast becoming a pastime, given his “penchant for notoriously launching nauseating attacks on his people in a brazenly desperate attempt to cling selfishly to political relevance.”

“The world is aware of the alarming increase of herdsmen orchestrated attacks on innocent people which is spreading like wildfire across the country but has remained largely unchecked.

“It is common knowledge that reasonable indigenes of most areas previous ravaged by the herdsmen attacks have risen in one voice and one unison to condemn such dastardly acts; irrespective of political affiliations.

“The comments made on a live radio programme; may, on a cursory look sound like another of his lame political gamesmanship but beyond that facade it becomes a matter of grave concern when a man of his standing deliberately makes statements capable of heating the polity in his home state and causing security breaches. 

“The Government and people of Akwa Ibom State remain undaunted in it’s avowed commitment to ensure maximum security of lives and properties in the state. No amount of blackmail will scuttle the peace and prosperity the state has enjoyed in the last four years.”

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