The member represent Mkpat Enin State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Engr. Otobong Ndem, in reacting to a recent publication by a local tabloid, has painstakingly put the record straight.
A press statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Edidiong Udobia, says “The attention of the Member Representing Mkpat Enin State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Otobong Ndem has been drawn to a news story with the caption “Mkpat Enin Political Crisis: Udom Reads Riot Act, Ekong Sampson’s Camp Wins Again as Richhard Umoren is Humiliated” published by TheMail and other online platforms.”
“It is not the intention of Hon. Otobong Ndem to demean the image or question the credibility of TheMail or any other news platform that carried the story but for the purpose of putting the records straight, the lawmaker wish to correct some inaccuracies in the report by stating the following categorically clear. That with the emergence of Dr. Sydney Udofot as the Political Leader, the issue of political leadership of Mkpat Enin Local Government was resolved and at no time was the issue discussed again during the Congress Committee meeting. Also, there is no plan to revisit the issue as the Area had moved past that phase.”
The statement went further to say “Secondly, contrary to the report, the former deputy governor, Noble Lady Valerie Ebe was not part of the said Congress Committee meeting. Hence, it is completely out of place to drag the name of Noble Lady Valerie Ebe into what she is not part of.”
“Thirdly, for the singular reason that the sole power to elect their representatives lies with the people of Mkpat Enin, it will be an affront on the people to engage in any form of negotiations over any elective position ahead of 2019 without the consent of the people. Hon. Otobong Ndem is yet to exhaust his first-term and with 2019 still very far, he has NOT discussed or made any negotiations on the issue of his second-term with Hon. Ephraim Akpan for that matter and will NOT as that will amount to an insult on his person, his office and the good people of Mkpat Enin. It is also necessary to state that since the party Congress Committee was set up, the only meetings held have been that of the Committee and only issues within the purview of the Committee have been discussed during the meetings. Also, ONLY members of the Committee have been attending the meetings.”
“Hon. Otobong Ndem wish to reiterate that the party structure in Mkpat Enin is completely for His Excellency, Udom Emmanuel and not owned by any individual as insinuated in the report. Hon. Ndem has also reiterated his commitment towards ensuring peace and unity in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. Hence, he has advised politicians in the area to use dialogue as a means of settling their differences. Finally, he has urged journalists to take full advantage of the Freedom of Information Act which gives them the right to access whatever information they want and has assured that his office is/will always be open to journalists to verify any information concerning him before publication,” the statement concluded.
MKPAT ENIN POLITICAL CRISIS – HOUSE MEMBER PUTS RECORD STRAIGHT
