From Jonas Ike, Abuja
It was humour all through at a book launch in honour of the 80th birthday of Obong Victor Attah a former governor of oil rich Akwa Ibom State as eight other former governors stormed the occasion and rattled each other in terms of seniority in that exalted office.
Obong Attah who held sway governor of the state between May 1999 and May 2007 also used the occasion to launch a book titled “Its Well With My Soul” had rolled out drums and invited who is how in Nigeria for the well attended occasion which turned turned to a sort of battle field for the ex- governors.
When it was the turn of the ex- governors to speak and celebrate one of their own, it became a sort of battle as one ex governor after another rattled others saying that they are young governors who should keep learning from elders.
It was former Ogun State governor Chief Olusegun Osoba who threw in the first salvo when he came to speak on the occasion saying that the other governor were young governors as he was governor twenty-six years ago.
He said: ” all these young governors who are always contesting age of governorship with me. At a point I went and swore an affidavit to that effect”.
The former governor who eulogized Obong Attah on his stand on Niger Delta issues particularly resource control and fiscal federalism added that during their era nobody can hardly differentiate their stand on issues based on party affiliation.
He added that they were able to use their office as governors to cage former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on many issues particularly on resource allocation and other national issues.
Other ex-governor who attended the occasion including Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe), John Odigie Oyegun (Edo), Adams Oshiomohle (Edo), Okwesilieze Nwodo (Enugu), Chris Ngige (Anambra), Achike Udenwa (Imo) and Godswill Akpabio (Akwa-Ibom) also challenged others in attendance in terms of seniority in office.
However, Akpabio who spoke last among the ex-governors wishing his predecessor good health and many more achievements as he turns 80 years old added that he was only groomed to be governor of the oil rich state by the celebrant.
On his own part, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress APC Com. Adams Oshiomohle said that he told the ex-governors during their time that there wouldnt be peace in Nigeria if the injustice on environmental issues in Niger Delta region of the country is not addressed by the federal government
Some other dignitaries who also graced the occasion include the Minister of Budget and National Planning Sent. Udoma Udo Udoma, Ex-Chaiman NDDC, Chief Nsima Ekere, Ex-Chairman EFCC Mrs Farida Waziri, former Deputy Governor of Plateau Mrs Pauline Tallen, Senior Special Assistant to the President of National Assembly Matters (Senate) Sen.Ita Enang and the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja Most Rev. Anselem Umoren among others.