The Former Deputy Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, PhD, has recounted how the fearless journalism of the late veteran journalist, Anietie Ben Akpan, popularly known as Roro Chief, helped save his life during Nigeria’s military dictatorship and the struggle for the revalidation of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Duke made the revelation on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in Calabar during a night of tribute organised in honour of the late journalist, describing him as one of the courageous media practitioners whose commitment to press freedom and democratic values helped protect activists from the excesses of military rule.
Reflecting on the political turbulence of the early 1990s, particularly the era of the late General Sani Abacha’s military dictatorship, the former lawmaker said journalists played a crucial role in keeping detained activists in the public eye, thereby helping to prevent possible extrajudicial killings and other abuses.
“Anietie is one of those whose journalistic activism saved me during the military era,” Duke said, recalling his experiences as a young political activist during one of the most turbulent periods in Nigeria’s political history.
He narrated how he was declared wanted for about two weeks in 1993 following his involvement in the political resistance that followed the annulment of the June 12 presidential election.
According to him, faced with the difficult decision of surrendering to the military authorities without any assurance of personal safety, he relied on the intervention and presence of journalists to make his surrender public and ensure that his fate would not be concealed.
“All the journalists gathered and they escorted me to where the brigade commander lives at MCC. I announced when I arrived at the gate of the brigade commander’s house: ‘Please, I’m here to submit myself to the army and let the record show I will not run away. If I’m executed tomorrow, just know I was executed.’
“All the journalists led by Anietie were there, and that’s what saved me,” he recounted.
Duke also paid tribute to the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Cross River State, describing its members as a critical force in the defence of democracy during the military era.
He explained that sustained media coverage, newspaper countdowns and international attention from organisations such as the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) helped keep political detainees visible and placed pressure on the military authorities.
The former Deputy Speaker, however, expressed concern over what he described as the neglect of veteran journalists who made enormous sacrifices in the fight for democracy but were left without adequate financial security and support in their retirement.
He lamented that many of the journalists who risked their lives to defend democratic freedoms had not received the recognition and assistance they deserved in their later years.
Duke disclosed that he had made efforts to support Akpan with medical expenses at Asi Ukpo during the journalist’s declining health, expressing sadness that many people who benefited from the sacrifices of veteran journalists were often absent when such individuals needed help.
As part of efforts to honour the late journalist’s contributions and support his bereaved family, Duke pledged ₦1 million towards the funeral arrangements, requesting that the greater part of the donation be given directly to Akpan’s dependants.
He said the gesture was intended not only to celebrate the deceased’s contributions to journalism and democracy but also to provide practical assistance to his family at a difficult time.
“Anietie has done his bit. Today we celebrate a life of impact,” Duke said, paying his final tribute to a journalist he described as a trusted ally in the struggle for democratic freedom.
The tribute highlighted the enduring role of courageous journalism in Nigeria’s democratic journey and renewed calls for greater recognition and support for veteran media practitioners whose sacrifices helped shape the country’s political development.
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