On the 29th of May 2015 the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom state swore to an oath as follows

“I Gabriel Udom Emmanuel do solemnly swear/affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, I will discharge my duties to the best of my ability, faithfully and in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the law, and always in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will strive to preserve the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will exercise the authority vested in me as Governor so as not to impede or prejudice the authority lawfully vested in the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and so as not to endanger the continuance of Federal Government in Nigeria; that I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions; that I will to the to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will abide by the Code of Conduct contained in the Fifty Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that in all circumstances, I will do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will; that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as Governor of Akwa Ibom State, except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as Governor; and that I will devote myself to the service and well-being of the people of Nigeria. So help me God.”

This oath of office reproduced above is necessary to guide us in relation to the ongoing act of abuse of office and subversion of justice being embarked upon by the Akwa Ibom state government under the leadership of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

On the 10th of December 2016, there was a tragic building collapse at Reigners Bible Church in Akwa Ibom during the consecration of its founder Pastor Akan Weeks as a Bishop. Midway into the service the building caved in killing scores while hundreds were injured. It’s on record that the Governor escaped death by the skin of his teeth but one of his security details was not lucky as he died while protecting his principal when a heavy rod dropped on him.

Immediately this happened, there was the usual condemnation and commiserating which is the norm with reaction to disasters in Nigeria. The Governor promised to set up a panel of inquiry into the collapse, which he did but it seems the panel’s efforts at presenting an unbiased observation of the events was unsatisfactory to Emmanuel.

The panel submitted its report in 2017 but the white paper was not released until a few days ago. That the Justice Umoekoyo Essang committee did a through job was evident in its report. According to the report which the government has rejected part of it, the panel indicted the pastor for culpability in the collapse as he disregarded all warnings made by the state building agency.

But Udom won’t have any of that, he needed to protect his friend Akan Weeks. The state government in its white paper rejected the indictment of the Pastor and the panel’s suggestion that Akan Weeks be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, was also ignored. By this action, Governor Udom Emmanuel has betrayed the trust afforded him by families of the victims to act impartially and ensure that the deaths of their loved ones is taken with the seriousness it deserves and actions are taken to ensure a tragedy of this sort never reoccurs.

The state government’s refusal to listen to a panel it instituted is a clear disavowal of the Governor’s oath of office as he has failed to do right to all people as contained in his oath. His favoritism to the Pastor is a condemnable act.

tosin adesina