Youths and other residents of Cross River State have expressed support for the Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Special Duties, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, over the petition to the police that reportedly led to the arrest and detention of social media critic, Denis Odama.
Odama was reportedly arrested, arraigned and remanded over an alleged social media post said to border on cyberbullying against Governor Otu, a development that has triggered criticism of Akiba by some persons in the state.
However, some youths have risen in defence of the Special Adviser, arguing that Odama went too far in his comments against the governor.
A public affairs analyst, who identified himself simply as Chief Onete, said Akiba had acted appropriately by petitioning the police.
“It was Odama who brought this upon himself. The comments he made on social media against the Governor were too heavy,” he said.
According to him, “Ordinarily, if someone walks into your father’s house and manhandles your dad, a good child will react immediately. You can’t slap my old man in my presence and expect me to obey or follow protocol. I will break your head first before the elders intervene for peace talks. Ekpenyong Akiba did the right thing.”
He, however, appealed to Governor Otu to consider releasing Odama, saying the incident should serve as a lesson to others.
“I appeal to the Governor to allow the boy to go home. I think he has learnt his lessons. This should serve as a deterrent to others. No one stops you from criticising the government, but do so constructively without breaking the law,” he said.
Similarly, one Ekanyin Uduak Ambo, in a post on her social media handle, said Odama should be prepared to defend his claims in court.
“Someone needed to put that guy in his place. You can’t wake up and make reckless posts about a sitting Governor. In this case, let him tell Cross Riverians everything he knows about this matter in court. In all thy getting, get sense,” she wrote.
Also speaking, Comrade Inah Simon, who identified himself as a resident of Bekwarra Local Government Area, said the attacks against Akiba could worsen an already tense situation, appealing to the Special Adviser to temper justice with mercy.
“I have watched and followed with concern the arrest of Mr Denis Odama of Bekwarra LGA and the wave of abuses, bullying and trolling directed at Chief Ekpenyong Akiba, Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties,” Simon said.
He added: “I condemn the disrespectful comment made by Mr Denis on the Governor’s personal page, and I also condemn the personal attacks on Chief Ekpenyong Akiba.
“For me, it’s all sounding like an attempt to pull him (Akiba) down and undermine his wonderful impact on the success of this administration, and that is unfair and unacceptable.”
Simon described Akiba as “one of the most reliable and proactive aides” of the administration, arguing that his contributions to the state had earned him recognition beyond Cross River.
“To those throwing abuses, this same man you are abusing is the one national television and radio stations are lining up, begging for an interview because of his brain,” he said.
He, however, expressed concern over Odama’s continued detention, saying abusive comments against Akiba would not secure his release.
“The truth is, the one suffering is Mr Denis Odama, who is still in Afokang Correctional Centre, a place you would not wish anyone to spend an hour in. Abuses will not secure his release and it doesn’t demonstrate your love for him in any way,” he said.
Simon therefore appealed to all parties to sheathe their swords and allow wisdom to prevail.
He specifically appealed to Akiba “to please temper justice with mercy and facilitate the release of our brother for the sake of his young family.”
“He has surely learnt his lessons these few days. His business has suffered and his family is in a devastating state. As I write now, his young children are missing his presence,” he said.
Lending his voice, Joseph Inyang, popularly known as MC Joe, said he found no fault with Akiba’s actions, declaring that he would continue to support the Special Adviser, whom he said he had known for more than 30 years.
“There are people you meet in life, and there are people whose lives become a blessing to you. Ekpenyong Akiba, Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, belongs to the latter category,” he said.
Inyang said he had personally experienced Akiba’s “kindness, accessibility, encouragement and willingness to help,” adding that the Special Adviser had assisted many people in times of need.
“We may disagree with people. We may have different opinions about public officials. We may even criticise policies and decisions. But we should never allow social media narratives to erase the good we have personally witnessed in people,” he said.
Also commenting, Elder Ini Imah, of Kokopedia fame, described Akiba as a loyal political aide, saying: “Every politician deserves an Ekpenyong Akiba in his political career. You don’t joke with such loyalty.”
