IKOT EKPENE: ATTEMPT TO IMPOSE UNYIME ETIM FAILS ... ASPIRANTS ACCUSE ELDERS OF LYING AGAINST GOV EMMANUEL * I FIND IT AKWARD, UNCHARITABLE, SAYS BARRISTER AKAN UDOH

An attempt to impose the incumbent chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Hon. Unyime Etim, on the people during the forthcoming local government elections, has failed.

It was gathered that at a well attended meeting of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in the Raffia City, on Monday, five of the asirants namely Prince Samuel Ukut, Barrister Akan- Mary Udoh, Barrister Idongesit Otong, Mr. Emman Ernest and Pastor Joseph John were asked to step aside from the chairmaship primary for the incumbent.

Attendees at the meeting were Member representing Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong, Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals, Ntufam Elijah Iyak, Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien, Rev. Otuekong Ukut, Senior Special Adviser on Political & Legislative Affairs, Pastor Sunny Ibuot and others.

The aspirants were told that the Governor has given an accent on the continuation of the current Council boss, but they did not buy the story. They accused the elders especially Ntufam Elijah Udoiyak who claims to be the owner of Ikot Ekpene of falsely using the party leader's name in a veiled attempt to dissuade them and impose the incumbent on Ikot Ekpene people, against the backdrop of the Governor's insistence that he won't interfere with the electoral process.

One of them, Barrister Akan-Mary Udoh, sent this message to his supporters soon after the said stakeholders' meeting, on Monday.

"Thanks guys for everything,we proved our mettle,we are beset with a systemic paradigm paralysis.

"Just out of a meeting with the stakeholders,they insist the incumbent returns,I find this rather awkward, uncharitable and politically inexpedient given the fact that he comes from a village ladden with 6 current political office holders.
"I wish them well! #WeMove", he declared.

Findings reveal that this imposition will only favour Uruk Uso - Ward 2, where Hon. Etim hails from. The area is currently the power bloc of Ikot Ekpene, having always produced political appointees and elected positions back to back since 1999. This lopsided power sharing is at the detriment of other Wards including Ikot Obong Wrong - Ward 5 which has never produced an executive chairman.

Apart from the fact that Etim has remained in power since 2015 with woeful performance, when he was appointed as Transition Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Council, he will complete three years as elected chairman by November and if his imposition is allowed would continue for another three years. He would be the first to enjoy a second term in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Council.

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