... as Stakeholders Flout PDP Orders
• By ANIEKAN UDOH, NUNG UDOE
As Akwa Ibom State prepares for the PDP primaries to elect its flag bearer, a shocking display of political victimization has emerged in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.
Reports revealed that the political leader of the area, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk, and certain elders have allegedly disregarded the PDP's directives, unfairly shifting the forthcoming chairmanship from Ibesikpo Ward 5 to Ward 4 under false pretenses. According to reliable sources, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk and his cohorts allegedly claimed that Ward 4 had never had any representation in government, a statement that is historically inaccurate.
Honest leaders conforming to truth and justice in the area have reiterated that it is indeed the turn of Ward 5 to produce the chairman of the council, while Ward 4 is due to produce the House of Assembly member. These honest leaders, who are frowning at the alleged unfair treatment, revealed that, Ibesikpo Ward 4 has already seen significant political appointments, with Hon. Godwin Udoabasi, a former Secretary of the Council, and Obong Elder E. E. Akpainyang, who was two term Chairman civil service commission in the state. The ward had 4 SAs to the former Governor.
On the other hand, the equity group of elders maintained that Ward 5 has been marginalized, having never produced a Local Government chairman since the advent of democracy in 1999. While Ward 5 did once produce a House of Assembly member and a commissioner, both leaders tragically passed away, leaving the ward without sustained political representation.
During an interview with our reporter on Wednesday in Nung Udoe, leaders from Ward 5 expressed their unwavering support for Governor Umo Eno and the PDP leadership, begging them to intervene in what they termed a "daylight robbery" of their rights and a skewed zoning arrangement.
They recalled that even when their late son, Hon. Ekpeowo, won the House of Assembly ticket, he triumphed due to his popularity, over candidates from all wards in Ibesikpo clan.
The stakeholders emphasized that Ward 4 should focus on the forthcoming House of Assembly elections, rather than the chairmanship. According to them, if Ward 4 takes the chairmanship now, Ward 5 would face an unconscionable 72-year wait for their turn and 52 years for house of Assembly
Furthermore, they pointed out that the current political leader, Uwem Ita Etuk, is allegedly manipulating the zoning to benefit Ward 3, which he hails from, positioning them for the House of Assembly slot in less than seven years.
The equity group also exposed deception in the text messages sent to people for the stakeholders meeting, where Hon. Aniekan Uko allegedly identified himself as the Secretary of the Ibesikpo Asutan PDP Chairmanship Congress Committee.
However, the state leadership of PDP, through its Publicity Secretary, Borono Bassey, has debunked this claim, stating there is no such committee and warning against actions that could sow discord and disharmony within the party.
The equity group in Ibesikpo Asutan hinted that the same political leaders who installed the current local government chairperson, who, according to them, has failed to deliver tangible results over nearly four years, are now attempting to allegedly impose another figurehead to continue their regressive agenda for Ibesikpo Asutan. They maintained that the kind of chairman the local government deserves is someone who would replicate the development zeal of Governor Umo Eno in Ibesikpo Asutan, not someone who would use the local government allocation for the benefit of a select few at the expense of the rural poor.
The people appealed to the State Governor, His Excellency, Pastor Umoh Eno, Senator for Akwa Ibom NorthEast Senatorial District, Senator Aniekan Bassey, member, House of Representatives for Uyo/Nsit Atai/Ibesikpo Asutan/ Uruan; Hon. Mike Esset and all the leadership of the party to stop the cabal before they plunge the area into numerous problems.
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