Akanimo Kufre (Akwa Ibom & C/River Correspondent)
Hundreds of Youths from Eket Federal Constituency have stormed the Akwa Ibom office of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to protest the death of the commission’s Director of Finance and Administration, Honorable Ibanga Etang.
The Youths, under the aegis of Afigh Iwaad Eket, a foremost socio-cultural organization were drawn from Eket, Ibeno, Esit Eket, and Onna local government areas, they described the circumstances leading to the death of the commission’s director as “suspicious” as the deceased never had any history of any serious ailment.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The New Diplomat, the President General of the organization, Obongiwaad (Pastor) Godwin Williams, expressed disbelief as to how Etang could have died just a few days to the probe of the NDDC by the National Assembly, especially after the Commission had, some weeks ago, admitted that sensitive documents which would aid the probe were in the custody of the Executive Director for Finance and Administration?
They, therefore, called for an independent autopsy to ascertain the cause of his death.
“We are calling for an independent autopsy because we do not have faith in anything that NDDC will say. Someone died and samples were not taken and you attribute the death to COVID 19 and you said that the headquarters of the commission be closed and everyone should go into isolation, it is very wrong.
The timing of his death leaves room for so suspicions. We are not accusing anybody, but some questions are begging for answers. Why is it that he died at a time that the Federal Government is probing an N40bn palliative scam? Why did his death come at this time that a forensic audit is being carried out and it was ascertained that he was with relevant documents that would have helped the national assembly to uncover some of the wrongdoings in the NDDC, isn’t that very suspicious? The circumstance of his death is very suspicious. He was hale and hearty as there were no records of any serious ailment in his medical history. So, we are shocked and puzzled about his sudden death” he said.
They alleged Etang may have been deliberately killed to cover up certain undercurrents related to the impending probe.
“Consequently, we, the Ekid people are extremely angered by the conspiracy that has led to the unfortunate death of our respected and very illustrious brother. His death is no doubt a monumental loss to Afigh Iwaad Ekid in particular, and Ekid nation in general. We value the life of every Ekid son/daughter; so, we will not accept or allow this rape on us to be swept under the carpet, especially now that we are aware that NDDC’s plan to eventually link Ibanga’s death to COVID-19 was thwarted by the public outcry against the intended foul play.
On this strength, we pledge our commitment, as a pressure group who is pained by the loss of its former President-General, to keenly follow up the process of unraveling the real cause of his death. And this we will do as a mark of last respect and honor to our brother, ObongIwaad (Hon.) Ibanga Etang” he stated.
They also disclosed that the death of Etang should not stall the process of auditing the Commission and investigating the 40 Billion Naira Palliative Fund.
