2015: Uyo dares Akpabio

* Ekerette Ekpenyong gives conditions for support

…lists achievements.
…decries deductions from Uyo allocation as leaders other stakeholders shun town-hall meeting

Indications have emerged that Uyo Local Government may be heading into the 2015 political chess game with a deeply divided house in the ensuing politics
This much THE INK gathered from what became a sham Town hall meeting organized by the council chairman Otuekong Ekerette Ekpenyong on Friday January 10, 2014.  

Addressing a cross section of the people of Uyo at the Uyo Council Hall venue of the meeting, Otuekong Ekpenyong declared that, whereas uyo have resolved to support the state governor Chief Godswill Akpabio in his 2015 succession plan, Uyo must negotiate their position as a condition for that support. Otuekong Ekpenyong explained to the people that, Uyo people entered 1999 election year blindly without negotiation and lost out. In 2003 the same thing happened as Uyo did not decide on what their stake was. The Uyo council boss added that in 2007 Uyo also failed to do so in 2011 and declared that, such anomaly must not be allowed to repeat itself in 2015.

Consequently, he said Uyo people must get to the negotiation table and make known their position and what is their stake in the next government.  In what however appeared to be speaking from both sides of the mouth, Otuekong Ekpenyong said, as for himself as elected chairman of Uyo, his family and as a political godson of Governor Akpabio, he will offer total support to the governor come 2015

Earlier Ekpenyong decried what he said were heavy deductions from the allocations to Uyo, He  disclosed that, from the federation account, Uyo is allocated about, 220million Naira monthly, but that deductions which impoverish Uyo from the state leaves Uyo poor and with little or nothing to carter  for the needs of Uyo. He called in the leaders of Uyo to prevail on the state government to change the laws and stop the deductions fortwith.

The council boss went ahead to list his achievements in office so far which he said includes building of a new chairman’s office block, legislature block and ICT block as well as the construction of the traditional Rulers Council which has reached advanced stages of completion. He called for support from Uyo for his administration promising better days ahead. 

The town hall meeting was attended by five out of twelve former council chairmen including clement Ekott, Fidelis Eddie, Stella EFfiom, Essien Nkanga and Obong Aniefiok Uwah. 

Those who stayed away are. Justin Ekong, Chris Nyong, Chris Udofia, Morris Edet and Gloria Udofia.

THE INK investigations also revealed that four councilors attended while the remaining six were visibly absent. Other notable leaders of Uyo who were noticeably absent include Prince Enobong Uwah, Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, former commissioner from Uyo, Samuel   Effanga and Enobong Umoh. Uyo Political Leader, Morris Ebong and former House of Assembly members, Ekere Affia and Aniedi Ndem, Cyril Ekiko and Okokon Etuk were all absent. Other stakeholders who did not attend the Town Hall meeting are Obong Rita Akpan, Obong Augustine Ikpe, Obong Ukpong Dan Umoh, Dr. Val Attah, Victor Utuk, Dr Mike Enyong and Obong Simeon Umoette.

THE INK investigations also revealed that, the traditional Rulers council of Uyo, led by the Paramount Ruler, HRM. Edidem Silas Akpan even though, he and all the clan heads were duly invited stayed away. A random sample by our correspondent revealed that some of the elders stayed away because they are aggrieved with the political leadership of the council chair whose administration is locked in unending battles with councilors, Staff of the council and Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, NULGEE amongst other problems