Council Chairmen may be sacked after Town Hall meetings

 

Senator Helen Esuene flanked by Mr Efiok Akpan (l) and Mr. Posi Ajuwa who represented the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Umar Gwadabe during the commissioning of an administrative block built for the Eket Police Command facilitated by Mrs. Esuene

* Some Council helmsmen showing signs of disloyalty

Attempts by the state Governor Godswill Akpabio to get a firm grip of the grassroots ahead of the PDP nomination billed for this year is gathering steam with the recent move to dissolve the Local Government Councils as soon as the town hall meetings are concluded.

The reason behind the decision to sack all council Chairmen and their councilors and supervisors is said to be a response to an alleged disloyalty to the SSG Udom Emmanuel displayed by some council Chairmen who despite the body language of the Governor Godswill Akpabio in favour of Udom Emmanuel as his successor are still romancing with the former SSG Umana Umana while some have been undermining the SSG and his authorities.

It was gathered that the SSG had noticed great signs of disloyalty amongst council Chairmen and had despite the plea from the Governor to the council Chairmen that he had made a U-turn on Umana Umana had failed to queue behind Udom Emmanuel. Most of the council Chairmen are said to have opined that Udom Emmanuel is a stranger to the politics of the land and that they will not be able to support him to go anywhere.

Sources within the Government cycle informed THE INK reporter that some council chairmen who are very loyal to the former SSG and some commissioners in the Exco who are interested in the 2015 gubernatorial position are in the habit of undermining the SSG and had often times failed to attend meetings hosted and presided over by Udom Emmanuel. A source said, even when some of them go there, they attend the meetings very late and does not even wait for the meeting to be over, they leave after dropping flimsy excuses.

That is not all, some of the disloyal council chairmen are said to always be the ones leaking information to the former SSG and that has always caused a big breach of security of Information. These and others that has been happening in the system had seriously rattled Udom and the state Governor who is said to have no option than to plan the exit of disloyal council chairmen and since so much questions will be asked if some council Chairmen are dropped and others retained, it was agreed in the very inner caucus of Akpabio’s steering committee that there should be a total overhaul of the council Chairmen and new ones be reconstituted with very loyal memebrs of the Udom Emmanuel caucus picked.

Our reporter gathered also that some council chairmen who are eyeing elective positions like the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate may also go as it was gathered that some of them are in the habit of diverting council funds into their own personal use were they use same in buying mansions all across the state and beyond. Some were also accused to have even diverted council’s money into their political venture. Although a date is yet to be fixed for the sack of council chairmen, it was discovered that in the case of a sack of the council Chairmen, over eight council chairmen may not returned as cases of disloyalty, their overriding political interests and other factors are militating against them.

For instance in Eket federal constituency, the chairmen of Ibeno, Apostle Ekpe Nko and that of Onna Ufot Archibong is said to be the target of the sack. Those close to the corridors of power maintained that Apostle Ekpe Nko is a core Okpolupm Etteh man while Ufot Archibong is a Bishop Akpan fan. While the Governor is said to even be considering a soft landing for Ufot Archibong if he decides to go the sacking way, the state Chief Executive is said to have the belief that he cannot allow Ekpe Nko who is a core Okpolupm Etteh man to stay.

In Ikot Abasi federal constituency, the axe may fall on the Chairman of Eastern Obolo Hon Charles Uduyork whose ambition to the federal House of Represnetatives is said to have consumed his effectiveness to his duties. Those of Mkpat Enin and Ikot Abasi Local Government Area may not be touched. In Oro federal constituency, sources alleged that the Chairman of Mbo Local Government Area, Hon Victor Antai may be the victim. Those who claim to know alleged that the Mbo Council helmsman is quite still very loyal to the sacked secretary to State Government Obong Umana Umana whom he was rumoured to be a running mate to. But the Governor is said to have also believed that Victor Antai had repented until reports reached him again that Antai is one of those still holding the Umana Umana project 2015 closer to his hearts.

At Etinan federal constituency, all council chairmen seem to be suspects. The Chairman of Nsit Ibom, Deaconess Mfon Ekong is still regarded as a core Umana Umana supporter and his Nsit Ubium counterpart Hon Ekpedeme Amos Akpan. Their refusal to sign a certain communiqué sometime ago against the former SSG months after Umana Umana left office had went further to give credence to the fact that given a favourable surroundings, they will dump the Governor’s interest for Obong Umana Umana. The council Chairman of Etinan Local Government Isantim Kenneth Okon appears to be the only one who may not be given a sacking order.

Ikono/Ini federal Constituency may not be sacked by the Government. Although that of Ikono was installed by Ibanga Akpabio who is working for Okpolupm Etteh, it was doubtful the Governor will sack him as there are very strong moves by the State Chief Executive to convince the council boss to his camp. Etetim Anwatim of Ini is believed to be toeing the path of the Governor at least for now.

Abak/Ika/Etim Ekpo federal constituency may see the council chairman of Abak the only victim. Political sources from Abak upholds that the Council Chair is interested in his federal House of Representatives ambition and is almost distracted especially as he has Aniekan Umanah state commissioner for Information, Uwem Udoma, Iboro Udobot and others to contend with.
Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal constituency is one that the council bosses may still survive any sack. They are seen to be following the footsteps of the Governor and hence may still remain in contention if there is any confirmed decision to overhaul Councils by the Government.

In Ikot Ekpene federal constituency, it was not clear whether the council Chairman of Obot Akara may be sacked and not reabsorbed. He was said to be loyal to and a product of the former Deputy Governor, Engr. Chris Ekpenyong. But ever since Ekpenyong popularly known as Ukarakpa and his other structure Austin Mbeh was thrown out by Akpabio, it appears Idongesit Ntekpere has since team up with Akpabio to say it must be what the Governor says.

In Uyo federal constituency, Ekerette Ekpenyong’s war with Enobong Uwah may come to a climax at this point. Throwing out the Uyo council boss may not be out of it. But Government House sources hinted that the Governor may not consider doing away with  Ekpenyong as he believes that Ekpenyong is an asset anytime anyday. The council chairman of Nsit Atai although is interested in the House of Assembly position by 2015, he is said to be loyal to the move by the Governor to make Udom Emmanuel the next Governor and may survive an impending sack. Hon Tony Akan who is the chairman of Uruan Local Government Area has been excellent in his performances and should there be a sack of council Chairmen, he will not be affected.

Itu and Ibion Ibom federal constituency may lost Michael James Etim of Itu whpo is said to be a core Umana Umana man. As events unfold, the society waits to see how the Governor intends to throw away these people without noises of challenges being raised. A source in the office of the Governor and another in the office of the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs confirmed this to THE INK that dissolution of the local Government Councils appear likely except the affected council chairmen turn a new leaf and cooperate with Government.

Information monitored from the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly indicates that it is likely the Governor Godswill Akpabio has something like that (dissolution of councils) up his sleeves because of the attitude of some council chairmen.

Meanwhile to get his way for Udom to emerge the next Governor, Akpabio is said to have promised and informed members of the House of Assembly especially those eyeing another term in the House of Assembly that he will encourage and influenced them get their ticket if only they will help him deliver Udom and ensure the SSG emerges successful at the polls during the PDP nomination and the general elections.