As you read this, the #EndSARS protesters in Akwa Ibom State have been battling an internal crisis arising from a N4million allegedly donated to it by the state Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.
The money was donated to the youth, who joined the nationwide #EndSARS protests, on Tuesday, October 13th, 2020 after Gov. Udom Emmanuel had addressed them.
Trouble started when the youth went on social media to accuse one of the leaders, Mr. Kufre Cater, of keeping the ‘loot’ to himself. They accused him of selling out and taking bribe on behalf of the protesters.
But on Saturday, Mr Carter, a sports presenter with a private radio station in Uyo, put up a staunch defense for himself on his Facebook page.
He claimed that he received only N500,000 from Gov. Udom’s men and shared same according to the instructions handed to him. He also stated that he had maintained silence because he was asked not to divulge the transaction.
Below is the full text of his defense :…
“Good evening, Ladies and gentlemen.
A lot has been said about me following the End SARS protests on Tuesday. I’ve been inundated with calls from responsible people to ask about the whereabouts of 4million naira reportedly given to me by the Governor for the Tuesday protests. The rest have resorted to online bickering and name calling.
Well, I want to state the facts about the money categorically thus:
- Half an hour after the governor finished addressing the protesters, I got a call from the SSA on Youth Matters to come to Eni Stores with two(2) people from the protest ground. I obliged.
- On arrival, I was informed that His Excellency has given the sum of four(4) million naira and explained the sharing formula: (i) 2 million for “Uyo Youths” and 2 million for four (4) blocs of protest organisers(which he knew I was one of those who organised the said protest).
- I was handed five hundred thousand naira (500,000) with specific instructions on how to share which I disbursed accordingly to five people.
- With this money, came a caveat that the information should be as discreet as possible and I agreed hence the reason for my initial denial which I’ve grossly regretted.
- Two days after, I kept getting threats from even my friends asking me to produce 4m given by the governor. I kept wondering where they got the information that I received 4m when in actual fact I received 500,000.
- I’ve managed to build a reputation around my name that I would rather die than let anything or anybody put a dent on it. Nobody is indispensable when it comes to protecting my name and reputation.
- I hereby apologize to everybody who I’ve disappointed by my actions on Tuesday. This is a first for me and I’ve surely learnt my lessons. I’m really sorry.
- For the people who’ve wasted no time in throwing tantrums, I deserve it and I hold nothing against you. If anything, this incidence has proven to me that nobody cares about you. They’re only interested in what you offer them. Nobody has friends.
- Once again, I’m sorry for disappointing y’all and if I went back in time, I would surely have acted differently but it’s too late for that, isn’t it?
- To my friends who’ve been through hell defending me, and opting to listen to my own side of the story, I thank you and I appreciate the goodwill.
On this note, I hereby state that I never received 4m from anybody for whatever purpose and I stand by that. Thank you
I digress!
#ENDSARS
#ENDPOLICEBRUTALITY
Virgin Kufre Carter
17102020”
