Fresh from an annual leave abroad, Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Engr. Patrick Ekpotu has described rumours of plan to replace him as not only false, but unfounded.

   Speaking through his Press Secretary, Ekene Eto, the Deputy Governor said it was the handiwork of his detractors.

  He explained that his annual vacation was duly approved by his boss, Governor Godswill O. Akpabio and expressed wonder over  what would be the gains of those who were “peddling the false rumours”.

Ekpotu, who could not be around to back his boss when he declared his intention to gun for second term as Governor of Akwa Ibom State , stated that though he was not there physically, his “spirit was always with his boss.

The Deputy Governor, popularly called “man of goodwill” by his political peers, however, used the opportunity to call on Akwa Ibomites to discountenance rumours on his sack, saying that  they are “baseless and lacking in credibility”.

The Tide gathered that rumours of Ekpotu’s sack started when the squabble between the former governor, Obong Victor Attah and his successor, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio resurfaced in the media.

Since Ekpotu was chosen by ex-Governor Victor Attah, local media, therefore, speculated that Akpabio would not retain him.

The Tide also learn that the role Ekpotu played in the ill-fated administration of Dr. John Ekott in Ikot Abasi local government also contributed in making Chief Akpabio to arrive at the decision to drop him during his second tenure.

Ekpotu was said to have convinced Governor Akpabio that Dr John Ekott would perform credibly as the Executive Chairman of Ikot Abasi,  against the wish of the people.

Consequently, when Dr. Ekott’s administration ended the way it did, Chief Akpabio viewed it as an attempt by his deputy, who knew the kind of a person Ekott is, to make him look stupid.

Eyo Akaiso, Uyo