By Ola Adeola
Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel’s lucky escape in the Reigners Bible Church International Inc building collapse that killed over 100 in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, has been told by an official. The claim that one of the governor’s aide died in the incident was also rebutted.
According to Essien Nduese, Udom’s personal assistant on media, an iron bar fell and shattered the seat the governor was sitting on, but still he made a miraculous escape.
“The governor did not run; he simply saw the falling iron coming, it stopped half way, then he walked out,” the aide stated.
On the alleged aide killed in the incident, Nduese stated, “He (the deceased) was not standing with the governor neither was he sitting behind the governor. I worked with the media team to the governor. The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Udoh, and the Chief Press Secretary to the governor Mr. Ekerette Udoh, are in the hospital.
“Ekerette has a dislocation in his left leg; he also has internal pains. He is better now though he is still in the hospital.
“The governor did not run; he simply saw the falling iron coming, it stopped half way, then he walked out.”
Also, a survivor told the Punch about their escape from in the bloody incident.
Eno Etim, a housewife, believed to be currently admitted to the University of UYO Teaching, Uyo, said: “I was inside the church. Everything was normal; there was no problem. A lady was called to lead the praise worship session; the governor came in shortly after that. As the praise worship was going on, the building fell and I didn’t know how I got here.
“The iron fell on my back forcing me to fall on the ground with my face down.
“I don’t worship in the church. I worship in the United Intercessors Network, which Bishop Akan Weeks also belong to. I don’t live in Uyo. I came all the way from Oron.”
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