Akwa Ibom Unity Forum, has retracted the allegations it levelled against the Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, in a petition sometime ago.
The Forum has also tendered an unreserved apology to his person and his revered office.
In a statement released at the end of a press conference on Tuesday in Uyo, the Forum said after a thorough review of facts, it had realized that the claims it made in the said petition were completely false and unfounded.
The statement, which was signed by the Director General of the Forum, Hon. Uko Idiong, Secretary, Hon. Aniedi Iwok and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Hon. Charles Ndanyongmong, the Forum expressed regrets over the embarrassment and damage the allegations had done to the reputation and integrity of Prof. Ndaeyo.
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“ After a thorough review of the facts, we have come to realise that the claims made in our petition were not only unfounded, but also completely false.
“ We deeply regret the distress, embarrassment, and damage caused to the reputation, integrity and character of Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo”.
While acknowledging the reputation damage of the misinformed contents, the Akwa Ibom Unity Forum however said it was in view of this that the press conference became necessary to afford the group an open opportunity to retract its allegations and apologise to the institution’s VC.
“We categorically retract the petition in its entirety. The allegations contained were based on misinformation which we mistakenly believed to be credible at the time.
“ We also sincerely apologise to Prof. Ndaudoh Ndaeyo for the damage the petition may have caused to his reputation and his esteemed position as Vice Chancellor”.
Explaining that the allegations against Prof. Ndaeyo were its first error of commission ever made against any individual or institution since its establishment, the Forum in the statement however said it had learned lessons from the incident and therefore, would henceforth ensure that all its information and petitions would be thoroughly verified to prevent recurrence of false information and allegations against any individual.
The Forum also said it had taken full responsibility for the distress its actions might have caused, asserting that the experience had strengthened its resolve and commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity and fairness in all its future engagements.
“ As a responsible organisation, we have learned a vital lesson from this unfortunate episode. Going forward, we will ensure that all information disseminated or petitions submitted by us are thoroughly verified and based on irrefutable evidence.
“ It is with humility and a sense of responsibility that we issue this public retraction and apology. We take full responsibility for the distress caused by our actions and offer assurances that this experience has strengthened our commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, fairness and accountability in all our future engagements”.
The Akwa Ibom Unity Forum therefore, expressed the belief that the retraction of its allegations against Prof. Ndaeyo and apology would “serve as a reminder of the importance of truth, fairness, and caution in public discourse”.
