Owoidighe Ekpoattai-The representative in her time

She comes across as a very easy going woman, a leader of note, trusted and with full humility. She is one of the women that have carved a niche for herself and others in Akwa Ibom and Nigeria’s political space. She is indeed an epitome of kindness, hard-work, and dedication to duty, a woman with an impeccable character, a trail blazer and a woman with uncommon passion for the well being of her people.

This writer is referring to the former council Chairman of Onna Local Government Area, Deaconess (Mrs.) Owoidighe Ekpoattai who very recently won the nomination of the PDP to emerge the flagbearer of the ruling party to the green chambers of the National Assembly for Eket federal constituency.

For followers of the political struggle in Eket, it was clear that the battle for that position was between Ekpoattai and the Onna brothers. Although the likes of Bassey Dan Abia, Jnr who is the incumbent and Eseme Eyiboh the immediate past representative had put up an appearance, it was crystal clear that since the components of Eket federal constituency do not joke with what has since come to be known as zoning and rotation of power, it was believed that the ambition of Eyiboh and Abia will not scale through.

The battle was then however in Onna and Ibeno to slug it out. But on the background of the fact that the people of Ibeno who are politically inclined had always told whoever cared to listen that by 2015 they will be seeking the Hiltop mansion and not the green chambers in Abuja, Onna was set for the battle for the soul of Eket federal constituency.

A lot of political giants stepped into the ring, a lot of stalwarts worked behind the scene. But the people had already made up their mind. The people of Eket federal constituency had already breathed life into their federal constituency and it was the time to make the hard choice, the true choice and the interest of the people prevailed. The wish of God and that of the people was in agreement and the winner emerged, she is Ma Ekpoattai popularly called.

A lot of people were surprised when it was learnt that the former Onna council Boss was declared winner of that primaries with a satisfiable number of votes. The question was how did she have it, who and who supported her, why was it possible for her to win with such margin. It was a land slide we must confess. Yes she won because the PDP saw in her the woman that will carry the message of the people to the centre; she won because she has never let the people down.

 She was a council Chairman and was able to deliver the best of dividends of democracy to the people of Onna Local Government Area. Her reputation was one of the best and till date, Onna people can never forget her in haste. This is one leader that left indelible marks on the sands of her political leadership of Onna Local Government Area. She was a mummy o the people and the fact that she stood tall amongst her peers cannot be eroded easily. This is a woman that mixed up freely with her people while still maintaining her discipline and ofcourse one of the points that saw to her emerging one of the most celebrated council chairman in the history of Akwa Ibom state. 

In terms of leadership, she is worth her measurement in gold.
Away from her services to the people of Onna as the council helmsman during that tenure, she emerged as the treasurer of the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party. That victory to preside over the financial affairs of the state PDP went further to prove a point that Ma Ekpoattai is a leader that can be trusted. It went to confirm that Ekpoattai understands how to deal with funds and matters that have to do with money. No one will categorically say that a moment or time spent with Owoidighe Ekpoattai had not been benefitting. She believes in teaching the people how to fish while at the same time giving fishes to them. In this era were women leadership has posed so many challenges with its attendant postings, Deaconess Owoidighe Ekpoattai has managed and has successfully lived above the board of poor leadership. Her victory over the male counterparts in the just concluded House of Representatives Primaries for Eket Federal constituency has further outlined her as a one woman integrity squad. This integrity has been with her and it has made her thick. It has made her resolute and firm in decision making. She is a woman that stands for the truth and believes what the truth is no matter the pressure for otherwise. In pursuit of a better life for the people of Eket federal constituency, I am very sure Owoidighe Ekpoattai will not disappoint, she has never disappointed and will not start now to do so.

In terms of empowerment of her people, she will not come last; she believes that the people must be empowered to be self reliant. Her believe in this regards is that when humans are self reliance, they will do all to keep to the rules of the society and will not be involved in societal ills and vices. It is agreed that the society has gone corrupt because of the fact that some people have not been able to rise above pertinent things. Some factors go a long way to influence the youthful population in leading a life that is untoward and unacceptable to right thinking members of the public. Owoidighe Ekpoattai represents that brand of politician that will fix the broken lines and mend all falling fences in terms of empowerment to the youthful population, the elderly and the women. She is a woman of substance who understands that the best form of leadership is to create opportunities and make the people self reliant. Her slogan is simple, always putting the people first.

While it is a welcome development for the people of Eket federal constituency to seek the services of Owoidighe Ekpoattai at the green chambers of the National Assembly, it is the belief of the people that she will not disappoint because the stakes of representation has been stepped up and she will have no reason not to deliver. It is also the belief of the people that as we move towards the 2015 general elections, Owoidighe Ekpoattai should be encouraged to emerge victorious. This is her time for a very effective representation and we can only wish this amazon of exceptional and rare leadership qualities the best in her pursuit to the National Assembly.