AKHA 2019: Eket TRC consent, bless Ekanem Willie

The Eket Traditional Rulers Council (ETRC) has unanimously given their consent to identify with the aspiration of Hon. Ekanem Willie to represent Eket in the legislature in 2019.

The council presided by Edidem E.C.D. Abia, Attah Ekid Afid and paramount ruler of the area, described him as a suitable material for the position, who understand the responsibilities of a law maker and will therefore be a worthy representative and spokesman of the constituency in 2019.

According to him, Ekanem will adequately represent the yearnings and collective interest of the community in view of his experience in governance and as a grassroots based political administrator.

Abia noted, a legislators level of representation determines the volume of projects and funds allocated to his constituency in the appropriation estimates and expenditure profile of the state government.

The Royal Father expressed displeasure at the attitude of elected political office holders on their triennial briefing and empowerment programmes conceived as a campaign avenue for another mandate instead of a feedback mechanism. He finally encouraged him, insisting, he is capable for the envisaged position.

The Clan Head of Afaha, Obong M.D. Uwem in his remarks recalled the pragmatic and intelligent leadership qualities of Ekanem had given him an edge over other contestants for the position.

Also speaking the Clan Head of Okon, Obong Akpabio Ekpoton, affirmed the zoning principle prevailing in Eket has drastically reduced tension, violence and cost of electioneering campaigns since the advent of the present democratic dispensation. He averred, since Okon had supported Urban and Central geopolitical zones respectively to occupy the position of the member of the state assembly, it therefore, behooves them to reciprocate that good gesture and ensure an Okon indigene is elected into the house of assembly in 2019.

Hon. Ekanem Willie solicited the support of the traditional institution as he submit himself for service of the constituency at the house of assembly in 2019. He pledged to change the level of representation by hosting quarterly town hall meetings to brief the constituency and get feedback from them.

He assured the royal fathers that he will make enough input into the appropriation bills and thereby attract infrastructural development project for the benefit of the people through his collaboration with the executive arm to make laws that will guarantee maximum benefits of our endowed resources.

Earlier, the Director General of Ekanem Willie campaign organization, Elder Charlie Etukudo disclosed the group decided to consult the royal fathers first in view of the important role the traditional institution play in the present society.

Most importantly, the PDP had zoned positions to all component units who have benefited holistically from such arrangement. Its therefore, the turn of Okon to occupy the position for 8 years, noted, what is good for the geese is good for the gander.

‘’’Ekanem is emphatically the most qualified for the position based on his experience in governance, contributions to the electoral victory of Gov. Udom Emmanuel and successive administrations in the state and council’’.His words. For the records Ekanem, is an entrepreneur and not a metropolitan based politician who visit only when he desires a new mandate.

It absurd that zoning had been adopted in Eket since 1999 and a beneficiary of that gesture is working assiduously to scuttle the policy for selfish and parochial interest.

The party, elders and the political class cannot be hoodwinked into such an inglorious plan that can unsettle the prevailing political peace in Eket.

High point of the consultation was the offering of royal blessings by the Traditional Rulers Council on Ekanem for his political victory in 2019.