Some Ibibio Elders have protested against the style of politicking of Governor Godswill Akpabio describing it as deceitful and shameful even as they made statements pointing to the facts that the state Governor is taking the Ibibios for a ride to a point that a former Secretary to State Government and ex minister, Obong Rita Akpan declared that in this administration, the Ibibios are suffering and will not take that again.
Ibibio Elders comprising of the political leader of Uyo, Obong Maurice Ebong, Secretary of Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibiobio and a former House of Assembly member for Uyo state constituency, Barr Aniedi Ndem, Obong Cyril Ekiko, Elder Enefiok Ekefre amongst others. They said during the consultation visit of a governorship hopeful to Uyo Elders Pastor Ita Udoh that the Governor had earlier introduced Obong Umana Okon Umana to them as someone who will succeed him and maintained also that ever since then, the state Chief Executive was yet to make a change of his mind known to them.
They observed that on the light of the introduction of Umana to them, they had thrown their weight of support behind the erstwhile SSG. In their separate remarks, they opined that the story that Udom Emmanuel is being backed by Governor Godswill Akpabio to succeed him is unfortunate as according to them, they know the truth.
Ibibio Elders lambasted the Governor for what could best be described as Akpabio’s inconsistency. They maintained that for the Governor to go about promising everyone the position of the Governorship for 2015 is deceitful. Obong Rita Akpan had categorically stated that the Governorship position for 2015 is for one person and if the Governor has decided to be telling everyone that he will handover to them, then it is unfortunate and such attitude should be rejected. She decried the fact that the Ibibio which is the father of Akwa Ibom State have been treated badly by the Akpabio administration. She maintained that the Ibibios have resolved to ensure that come May 29, 2015 an Ibibio son is sworn into office as the Executive Governor of the state.
Elder Enefiok Ekefre who spoke amidst political ideologies insisted that he is an Ibibio man to the core. He maintained whole heartedly that the Governor has not been fair to the Ibibios especially and he alleged that Akpabio has attempted to create disharmony in the ethnic nationality with his succession moves which he noted as being grossly insincere.
Ekefre maintained that as one who studied criminology, he has always allowed the tutorials he learnt in the field to be his guiding light. He took his audience down the memory lane when he briefed that as the Pioneer Chairman of the PDP in Uyo Local Government Area, he has gathered enough experience and lessons in the political field. He insisted that Akpabio is his friend and that he has high regards for the Governor but maintained that the state Chief Executive has been unfair to the Ibibio people adding also that the Elders of Uyo Local Government Area have not yet adopted a candidate for the forthcoming November 29, 2014 PDP gubernatorial nomination.
Chief Ekiko while thanking the guests for coming insisted that the choice of rejecting or accepting an aspirant lies with the people, the electorate. He commended the like of Rita Akpan for her position and added that, that is the position of the good people of Ibibio. Ekiko maintained that the Elders will play advisory role and that they will make the people understand that Ibibios cannot afford to lose out of the Governorship of the state for another eight years. A position already established by Obong Rita Akpan. He also expressed anger on why some people especially those entrusted with the leadership position of the state can feel that the Ibibios can be taken for a ride. He said the Ibibios will reject such in totality. Obong Ekiko maintained that the Ibibios will chose who they want to lead them come 2015 as her Governor and that nobody can stop them.
On his own, Obong Maurice Ebong in his speech corroborated the position of the earlier speakers and warned of the dire consequences of anyone attempting to take the people of Ibibio for granted.
The Elders in their position believed that the only way the Ibibios can reclaim their lost glory is to ensure that they stop any person that is set to do the biddings of the Governor. They also believed that the time for the Ibibios to take their destiny in their hands is now.
In what appears they are yielding to the popular demands, the Ibibio Elders have also argued that yes, power will go to Eket senatorial district and that it will be entrusted into the hands of an Ibibio son that is not being sponsored by the Government of the day. They also condemned the attack on Senator Helen Esuene when the former first lady was consulting in Essien Udim, the Governor’s hometown.
Earlier in her speech, Obong Rita Akpan gave a narrative on how she fell out with Obasanjo when the ex President tried to insult the sensibilities of Ibibio during her time as a minister under the Otta farmer.
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