* Paramount ruler, PDP, APC, ors hail gesture
The people of Ikono local Government Area have unanimously adopted the senator representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Dr. Aloysious Etok as the political leader of the area. Elders, women and youths of the area said they had to undertake that formal action to put paid to insinuations and an impression making the rounds that some other person is the political leader of the area.
In an elaborate event which took place at Unity Secondary School, Oduk, the chairman of the occasion and secretary Ibibio Elders forum, Dr. Emmanuel Akpanobong called on the people of Ikono to eschew all forms of bitterness, political hatred and rancor and join the boat of the political progress of Ikono which is being steered by senator Etok. Akpanobong who is the Chief Medical Director of St. Athanasius hospital in Uyo observed that the choice of Aloysious Etok as the political leader of Ikono is a welcome development. He called on those who are still not in tandem with what is going on to retrace their steps and join the moving trend which he said is capable of protecting the political and all economic interest of Ikono people. He had kind words for Etok and however prayed God to grant the senator the grace to lead the people of Ikono in the right steps politically.
Earlier, the chairman of the planning committee of the installation Sir Victor Etefia, KJW, in his address had said that the installation of Aloysious Etok and Clement Bassey as the Political Leader and Deputy leader of Ikono respectively was the beginning of a new era in Ikono Local Government Area. he added that with this exercise, Ikono politics is no more a child’s play and that the politics of the area can never again be left in the hands of misguided political persons or group of persons stressing that the area shall collectively say no to impostors at all cost.
He said, “my message to the good people of Ikono is let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate and were necessary confront our oppressors so as to usher in a better image for the incoming generation.”
Speaking further, Victor Etefia said, the political image of Ikono people for sometime now is not worth mentioning in any political gathering in the state. He said the people of Ikono have found themselves in a situation where their territory is under siege by the in laws and friends. He lamented that their views in the scheme of things are not considered. He solicited for the corporation of all indigenes of the area with a warning that freedom is indivisible and that when one man is enslave, all are not free.
The Guest speaker at the event and a former senate hopeful for Uyo senatorial district AbaiNsimaUmoh in his paper entitled, Ibibio EtimIbaba, EtimUsungafere lamented the enslavement of the Ibibio and the fact that the region is almost losing its pride of place in the comity of nations in the country. He expressed humility over his choice as the guest speaker at the event. He maintained that by 2015, he will support an Ibibio man from any senatorial district to emerge the Governor of the state. in his words, “permit me ladies and gentlemen to comment on this overflogged issue of Akwa Ibom state and 2015. All I hear in the political firmament is that of zoning and rotation of the leadership of our state. I must warn that it is so much of our loyalty to our region and tribe, and enthronement of mediocrity that has brought Nigeria to its present sorry state. For now however, it would appear there is already a consensus that our next Governor will be an Ibibio man or woman of whatever senatorial district, occupy the Hiltop mansion. But my ideal candidate should be someone who has something extra to offer in terms of integrity, broadmindedness and the fear of God”
High point of the event was the administration of Oath of allegiance on the new political leader, Aloysious Etok and his Deputy Clement Adolf Bassey. The administration of the oath was done by Barr Imo Akpan. Aside from the swearing in of Senator Etok as the political leader, Ikono Political Advisory council was also inaugurated with members drawn from all parts of Ikono local Government Area. those sworn in as members of Ikono political advisory council were Senator Aloysious Etok, Political leader, Dr. Clement Bassey, Deputy, DrEdemUsoro, His Excellency Chief UU OkorenEtefia Ikono and former Deputy Governor of then Cross River state, Obong Amadu Akpan Udede, Chief OkonAkpanusung, Obong IbangaUdo Akpan. Others were Dr. Emmanuel Akpanobong, Elder Pius Eyo, Elder Eyo Akpan Udo, Prof Joe Unyanka, Obong KufreInyangette and Dr Augustine Umoh.
Also inaugurated were special members of the political Advisory council. They were Hon IboroUdo, sir Obong Ntuk, Obong Mathew Ebong, Comrade Ephraim Obot, Chief EtimInyang, Engr Godwin Akang, Obonganwan Glory James, ObonganwanIma K D Inyang, Chief GM Uba and Sir Victor Etefia who was sworn in as the secretary of the Ikono political Advisory council.
In his acceptance speech after the inauguration, the Ikono Political leader Senator Aloysious Etok said, the history of that event will, in clear and strong terms open a new phase of our political participation with a drawn agenda of defined unity, sustainable leadership, democratic and due process in the selection of candidates for elections as well as visionary representations. He promised to ensure that the Ikono people are not shortchanged in the state and nation’s politics. He appealed for the cooperation of all Ikono sons and daughters. He promised to run an all-encompassing administration.
Etefia Ikono in his goodwill message poured encomiums on Senator Etok and members of his team. He promised to always stand by them towards the growth of the local Government Area at all times. Chief UU Okoren harped on peace and love amongst his subjects and called on the people of Ikono at home and in the diaspora to recognize SenatorAloysious Etok as the authentic Political leader of the area.
The event received thumbs up from traditional rulers, all political parties, women and youth groups, even as Ntisong Ibibio the third, NtisongDr Essien Ekidem had kind words for the event, Aloysious Etok and the people of Ibibio whom he advised to guard what belongs to them jealously.
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