Some of the protesters in Uyo who went round the streets yesterday to agitate against the inhumane activities of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) and Police brutality on Nigerian citizens, have come out to dispel the rumours making the rounds that they booed and referred to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel as a “Yahoo boy”.
While speaking with this reporter, the people said that they never, and would never make such statement to slide the integrity and personality of the amiable Governor, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. They also added that the viral video which showed protesters chanting against the Governor, is fake and unfounded.
“At no point did we refer to the Governor as a yahoo boy. We cannot refer to our amiable, youth friendly Governor in that manner”, Blessing (one of the protesters) said.
Collaborating the peoples’ reactions to the rumour, the Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on ICT, Mr. Solomon Eyo, took to his Twitter handle to counter Reuben Abati’s diatribe against Governor Emmanuel on the matter. “Please note that Governor Udom Emmanuel did not give #EndSars protesters N4m. Your comment on AriseNews this morning is misleading…”, Mr. Eyo noted.
Also, the Special Assistance to the Governor on Media, Rev’d Richard Peter also reacted to Abati’s statement against Governor Udom Emmanuel on Twitter thus: “Reuben Abati’s comments on AriseNews this morning is not only misleading, but mischievous and targeted at tarnishing the image of Governor Udom Emmanuel. During the protest yesterday, Governor Emmanuel identified and addressed the protesters, who in turn, commended and appreciated him for identifying with them and the concerns of his people. Be it known to Reuben Abati that the protesters NEVER booed nor rejected Governor Emmanuel’s gesture. He (Abati) should shun unnecessary blackmail from some media urchins who are out for some mischievous adventures, and apologize to Governor Udom Emmanuel for such false and bogus statement he made on AriseNews TV this morning.”
The people wondered why some bad elements in the society would resort to mud-slinging on Governor Udom Emmanuel, just to score cheap political points.
