CPC spokesman, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, had in a telephone interview with our correspondent described the gift as a waste of resources belonging to the people of the state.
He also criticised the governor’s lavish state dinner for the couple; his promise to send a 29-man delegation to the couple’s March 23 white wedding in Dubai; and his pledge to rehabilitate Eket-Ibeno Road ahead of the child dedication of Tuface and Annie.
But Akpabio fired back, saying “mischief-makers” and “enemies of the state” were working hard to discredit the governor’s “well-intentioned actions.”
The CPC spokesman said Akpabio would not have spent his personal resources in such a manner, noting that the gifts amounted to “financial recklessness.”
He said, “This type of financial recklessness from governors of oil-rich states is another reason militating against the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill. The 10 per cent being proposed for the host communities is seen as superfluous if this type of unimaginable imprudence becomes second nature for some of these governors.
“This type of anti-people expenditure is only symptomatic of a leader that emerged through the subversion of the people’s will and desire.”
But in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umana, in Uyo on Thursday, the governor denied giving two Prado SUVs to the couple, as reported in some papers and blogs (Saturday PUNCH not included).
The statement said the governor only approved one Prado gift for the couple.
The commissioner also stated that the governor promised to sponsor 20 persons and not 29 to Dubai for the wedding.
“Following spurious and false speculations in the social media concerning the wedding gift by Governor Godswill Akpabio to Mrs. Annie Innocent Idibia, née Macaulay, I wish to state as follows:
“That the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, donated one Prado jeep to Mrs. Annie Innocent Idibia, nee Macaulay, a daughter of Akwa Ibom State and renowned artiste during her traditional marriageat Eket.
“That the state governor, as a token of support for the couple, promised to fund the travelling expenses (economy return tickets) for only 20 relatives of Mrs. Annie Macaulay-Idibia to Dubai, where the couple have chosen to wed.
“That looking carefully at the surrounding events in perspective, Mrs. Annie Idibia, nee Macaulay is a daughter of Akwa Ibom State and the gift of a Prado SUV from her governor is only a gesture of love and goodwill. Her resolve to stand by her husband on his journey right from his days of youthful beginnings to stardom even in the face of challenges is commendable and a true attribute of Akwa Ibom women.
“I wish to therefore urge members of the public to discountenance the misrepresentations made out of a well intentioned act of the governor.”
Punch Nigeria
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