…Akan Tommey, Gideon Uwa, Sunday Tom, Mercy Bassey, Get Stakeholders’ nod


Transition Committee Chairmen are not having an easy ride as the Local Government elections draw near. Investigation by Global Pilot newspaper shows that all the council Chairmen would love to return for an elective term of three years through the ballot if not for impediments such as zoning, stakeholders endorsements and statutory delegates.

“So far no local Government Chairman has openly come out to say he is not contesting this elections, meaning they are busy weighing their options. Even those who know they will not return have refused to throw in the towel due to their deep pocket and financial muscle. They hope that along the line they could pull some magic and buy their way through,” Bright Udom a public affairs analyst noted

Weeks after the Akwa Ibom Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) published notice of elections with timetable, political intrigues have disarmed some council chairmen with a technical knockout although they stress that the Primaries are yet to be conducted.

In Nsit Ubium Sen. Effiong Bob led stakeholders to put to bed contest for the office of the Chairman Of council by presenting the preferred Chairmanship aspirant Alfred Charles to the stakeholders for endorsement.

The event which held in his Ewet Housing Residence was witnessed by Barr. Onofiok Luke, Barr. Dan Akpan, Deputy Leader Of the House Of Assembly Barr. Otobong Bob, Captain Ekong, Mr Udeme Ubom, among others.

Alfred Charles who hails from Ubium clan where the seat was zoned to appreciated the Governor Pastor Umo Eno, Nsit Ubium Caucus and the people for Choosing him for leadership.

In ONNA Local Government Area the zoning by stakeholders which favors Asuna Nung Oku clan is set to be the yardstick for decision on the next Chairman of Council. The sitting Chairman Hon. Inabasi Ekanem is not Favour’s by the arrangement and will have to transit, support whoever emerges from the zoning since it’s a decision of majority of stakeholders. The Asuna Nung Oku clan comprising of eleven (11) villages is bounded by Awa Afaha clan to the east, Qua Iboe River to the west, Mkpok Village in Nung Andem clan to the south and Mbioto 2 in Etinan to the North. Created by immediate past Governor Udom Emmanuel the clan boasts of an excellent village to ward ratio ideal for political permutation.

In Ibesikpo Asutan, Zoning and stakeholders decision is playing a frontline role in how the third tier of Government shapes up. The stakeholders unanimously affirmed the zoning of Chairmanship position to Ibesikpo south which is former ward 4 and now ward 5, a move which they explain allows for FairPlay, justice and equity since the ward has never produced the council chairman before. A political analyst Lady Nancy Udom who was on ground noted “the sitting Chairman Hon. Akon Michael is from Asutan and the zoning Favours Ibesikpo south which means that she will not be returning to the office. Don’t forget she was also signatory to the zoning arrangement. Others who signed are Linus Nkan, Ubong Attah, Uwem Ita Etuk, Hon. Emmanuel obot etc.”

In Mkpat Enin Local Government Area the sitting Transition Chairman Lady Mercy Bassey has been endorsed by stakeholders unanimously due to her Excellent performance and 40% affirmative action for women as promoted by Gov. Umo Eno.

In Nsit Ibom Hon. Inemesit Ubokudom is riding on the endorsement of the political leader Major General Isang and House Of Assembly Member Hon. Eric Akpan to challenge the incumbent Otobong Aaron who is also seeking the Chairmanship ticket. Otobong who was Vice to Hon. Eric when the latter was Chairman before going to the House Of Assembly is relying on her performance which has attracted both the Governor and First Lady to her Local Government Area.

Stakeholders have equally endorsed Gideon Uwa in Etim Ekpo and Sunday Tom in Esit Eket.

Eket Local Government Area being one of the flashpoints has experienced Peace recently due to the political wizardry of the Political Leader of Eket Senatorial District Rt. Hon. Nduese Essien who worked tirelessly to ensure all aspirants see the need to support Hon. Akan Tommey so his numerous projects and programmes are not rolled back. Eket Stakeholders meeting which held at the PDP Secretariat in Eket saw the leading contender Obong Emmanuel Mbong step down and endorse incumbent Akan Tommey. Others who attended are Prof. Etie Ben Akpan, Chief C. H. Isong, Engr. Emmanuel Ekott, Hon. Nsidibe Akata etc.

Uyo, Uruan, Etinan, Obot Akara , Etim Ekpo are set to be determined by their political leaders who are firmly in charge of both the Party structure and stakeholders in their respective local Government Areas except in Abak where there is battle between the Speaker Of Akwa Ibom State House Of Assembly Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong and that of former deputy Governor Moses Ekpo. While the Speaker Favours the return of the current Transition Chairman for another term the Former deputy Governor’s camp kicks at it.

This has heighten the political temperature in Abak for weeks as various documents have been sponsored in the media by the various actors in a bid to outwit each other. This battle could be decided in the field if no party pushes back except the Governor intervenes for peace to reign.

The Secretary to State Government Prince Enobong Uwah is expected to decide where the pendulum swings in Uyo Local Government Area as he is the political Leader. Currently he favors the return of Hon. Uwemedimo Udo for a second term. In Etim Ekpo Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem SAN is expected to decide as he enjoys huge followership and goodwill in both the party and the stakeholders. Same goes to Monday Uko in Obot Akara who is the Dean Of Commissioners in the Akwa Ibom State Government Executive Council.

Dem PDP dey try get tickets for LG polls, but dem don dey show their true colors as finished party wey be pretenders and corrupt people.

PDP should focus on policies instead of internal power struggles.

COMRADES, I appeal to Nigerians to dump APC by all means