2019: Udom, Akpabio Loyalists At War -Ibokessien, Ekpenyong, Ors Dare Emman Akpan -Don Etim, Council Boss Roots For 2nd Term
The political intrigues that is currently bedeviling Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency on the choice of who represent the constituency in 2019 has taken another dimension with loyalists of Governor Udom Emmanuel in a daggers drawn with loyalists of Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The Sensor authoritatively gathered that Governor Udom’s loyalists are rooting for Ikot Ekpene local government area to produce the next House of Representatives member in line with the governor’s stand on zoning, while loyalists to Senator Akpabio who is the Senate Minority Leader and Governor Udom’s “Great Teacher” are strongly in support of a second term bid of current member, Mr. Emmanuel Akpan.
It would be recalled that political stakeholders and youths in Ikot Ekpene led by Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien had during a recent consultation visit to political stakeholders from Obot Akara, protested the alleged plan by few selfish individuals to impose Mr. Emmanuel Akpan for them, saying that it is the turn of Ikot Ekpene to produce the House of Representatives member, come 2019.Other Ikot Ekpene Stakeholders who joined in the protest were Elder Emmanuel Obot, Pastor Sunny Ibuot, Mr. Nsikak Ekong, Mr. David Udoh, Mr. Etido Inyang Jr., Mr. David Umana, Barr. Ekere Eshiet, Ntufam Elijah Iyak, among others. They are said to be Governor Udom’s loyalists.
The stakeholders noted with dismay that the zoning arrangement for the House of Representatives seat which they said favoured Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area is being threatened by the current occupant of the seat, Mr. Emmanuel Akpan who is from Essien Udim Local Government Area and he is said to have begun lobbying and consultations.
The stakeholders further noted that Obot Akara and Essien Udim have taken their turn and it is now the turn of Ikot Ekpene. They equally vowed any attempt by Senator Akpabio to scuttle the zoning arrangement and deny them their right to produce the next House of Representative member, adding that such an attempt would “definitely affect the peaceful political relationship of the three local government areas.”
The Sensor has learnt that Senator Akpabio’s loyalists are bent on returning Mr. Emmanuel Akpan for a second term to the Green Chamber. Those who are in strong support of Akpan are the former commissioner for Works, Mr. Unyime Etim, PDP Chapter Chairman for Essien Udim, Mr. Ntiedo Usoro, among others. They are said to be core Akpabio loyalists.
Speaking during Mr. Emmanuel Akpan’s recent consultation visit, Don Etim said that he will do everything possible to ensure that he returns to the House of Representatives, noting that Ikot Ekpene will support the second term ambition.
He said, “Emmanuel Akpan will return to the House of Representatives because he has represented us effectively. Another reason I am supporting him is because when he finishes his second term, an Ikot Ekpene son will also go for two terms.”
On his part, the council chairman, Mr. Unyime Etim said that there is no better aspirant for the job than Emmanuel Akpan. He maintained that Ikot Ekpene people will follow the directive of their leader, Senator Akpabio.
It would be recalled that similar political intrigue happened last year during the build up to the local government election. At the primaries, while other stakeholders supported another the aspiration of the then Transition Chairman, Don Etim moved to support his nephew, Unyime Etim who eventually emerged the party flag bearer and current council chairman.
The intrigue, it was further learnt, led to a protest and world press briefing by Governor Udom’s loyalists. Led by Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien, all the appointees in Governor Udom’s administration joined in the protest.
Meanwhile, former Deputy Governor, Obong Chris Ekpenyong and political appointees in Udom’s administration from Obot Akara Local Government Area including Monday Uko are said to be in support of Ikot Ekpene to produce the House of Representatives member, come 2019.
They have also vowed to resist the second term bid of Mr. Emmanuel Akpan. Their reason for the support to Ikot Ekpene, The Sensor gathered, is that after Ikot Ekpene, it will be the turn of Obot Akara and they would stand outside for the next twelve years.
Sour
The Sensor authoritatively gathered that Governor Udom’s loyalists are rooting for Ikot Ekpene local government area to produce the next House of Representatives member in line with the governor’s stand on zoning, while loyalists to Senator Akpabio who is the Senate Minority Leader and Governor Udom’s “Great Teacher” are strongly in support of a second term bid of current member, Mr. Emmanuel Akpan.
It would be recalled that political stakeholders and youths in Ikot Ekpene led by Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien had during a recent consultation visit to political stakeholders from Obot Akara, protested the alleged plan by few selfish individuals to impose Mr. Emmanuel Akpan for them, saying that it is the turn of Ikot Ekpene to produce the House of Representatives member, come 2019.Other Ikot Ekpene Stakeholders who joined in the protest were Elder Emmanuel Obot, Pastor Sunny Ibuot, Mr. Nsikak Ekong, Mr. David Udoh, Mr. Etido Inyang Jr., Mr. David Umana, Barr. Ekere Eshiet, Ntufam Elijah Iyak, among others. They are said to be Governor Udom’s loyalists.
The stakeholders noted with dismay that the zoning arrangement for the House of Representatives seat which they said favoured Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area is being threatened by the current occupant of the seat, Mr. Emmanuel Akpan who is from Essien Udim Local Government Area and he is said to have begun lobbying and consultations.
The stakeholders further noted that Obot Akara and Essien Udim have taken their turn and it is now the turn of Ikot Ekpene. They equally vowed any attempt by Senator Akpabio to scuttle the zoning arrangement and deny them their right to produce the next House of Representative member, adding that such an attempt would “definitely affect the peaceful political relationship of the three local government areas.”
The Sensor has learnt that Senator Akpabio’s loyalists are bent on returning Mr. Emmanuel Akpan for a second term to the Green Chamber. Those who are in strong support of Akpan are the former commissioner for Works, Mr. Unyime Etim, PDP Chapter Chairman for Essien Udim, Mr. Ntiedo Usoro, among others. They are said to be core Akpabio loyalists.
Speaking during Mr. Emmanuel Akpan’s recent consultation visit, Don Etim said that he will do everything possible to ensure that he returns to the House of Representatives, noting that Ikot Ekpene will support the second term ambition.
He said, “Emmanuel Akpan will return to the House of Representatives because he has represented us effectively. Another reason I am supporting him is because when he finishes his second term, an Ikot Ekpene son will also go for two terms.”
On his part, the council chairman, Mr. Unyime Etim said that there is no better aspirant for the job than Emmanuel Akpan. He maintained that Ikot Ekpene people will follow the directive of their leader, Senator Akpabio.
It would be recalled that similar political intrigue happened last year during the build up to the local government election. At the primaries, while other stakeholders supported another the aspiration of the then Transition Chairman, Don Etim moved to support his nephew, Unyime Etim who eventually emerged the party flag bearer and current council chairman.
The intrigue, it was further learnt, led to a protest and world press briefing by Governor Udom’s loyalists. Led by Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien, all the appointees in Governor Udom’s administration joined in the protest.
Meanwhile, former Deputy Governor, Obong Chris Ekpenyong and political appointees in Udom’s administration from Obot Akara Local Government Area including Monday Uko are said to be in support of Ikot Ekpene to produce the House of Representatives member, come 2019.
They have also vowed to resist the second term bid of Mr. Emmanuel Akpan. Their reason for the support to Ikot Ekpene, The Sensor gathered, is that after Ikot Ekpene, it will be the turn of Obot Akara and they would stand outside for the next twelve years.
Sour
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