Mr. Umana Okon Umana, the former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, has strongly responded to the orchestrated campaign of calumny aimed at tarnishing his reputation in the past week.
In a statement released through his media aide, Iboro Otongaran, the immediate past minister warned the hired blackmailers and hack writers to cease their activities and refrain from targeting him unfairly. He further addressed the speculations surrounding a possible ministerial appointment, stating that those behind the smear campaign should be aware that “it is entirely the prerogative of the president and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces to appoint whoever he wants to work with.
“My position is that blackmailers, those who fabricate stories and those who peddle false stories to malign me because they want ministerial appointments, should leave me alone,” the former minister said.
“They ought to know that the appointment of ministers is the sole prerogative of the president,” he emphasized
The Akwa Ibom APC Renaissance group was responsible for spreading a false and misleading write-up last week, which subsequently led to various malicious publications. Mr. Umana Okon Umana, through his media aide, Iboro Otongaran, quickly disclaimed the false information, emphasizing that he stands by the content and intent of the disclaimer.
The letter, titled “Re: Petition To Secretary To Government Of The Federation Over Ministerial Slot For Akwa Ibom State,” allegedly addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, His Excellency George Akume, caught the attention of the former minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
“In the said letter, a copy of which the group claimed has been sent to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, a strenuous effort is made to create the impression that the group is fighting for the political interest of Ibibio in Akwa Ibom State and Mr Umana as an individual in respect of who should be appointed minister from the state into the present administration.
“We want to make it crystal clear that Mr Umana has nothing to do with this letter, and that the group is not acting at the behest of the former minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
“Contrary to the impression that the letter and those behind it want to create, Mr Umana is not an ethnic champion. In all the roles he has had the privilege to play at the state and national levels Umana has always acted in the national interest, prioritising competence, fairness and equity above other considerations. And over the years, Umana has demonstrated his loyalty to the APC and has been unstinting in his efforts to build and defend the unity of the party at both the state and national levels.
“Umana is neither aware nor is he part of any factional fight within the APC in Akwa Ibom State.
“We totally disavow any insinuation of Mr Umana’s involvement in or support for any crisis in the APC in Akwa Ibom State,” he said.
