By Prince Nsisong Ntuk
It was a joyous day of celebrations on Friday the 29th day of June 2018, a day of merriment and thunderous jubilations as the aspirant for Ikono/Ini House of Representatives, Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo appeared in person to inaugurate a youth formation in support of the second term bids of His Excellency Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel and that of Distinguished Senator Godswil Obot Akpabio. He further declared his intentions to aspire for the position of Member of the House of Representatives in the upcoming 2019 elections citing the yearnings of the people of Ikono/Ini and the zoning report favouring Ikono South for 2019 -2023.
The newly inaugurated body- Ikono Youth Defenders numbers 110 members from the eleven (11) wards of Ikono LGA (evenly distributed) were carefully selected based on track records of grassroot mobilizations, dedication and loyalty to the PDP.
The Inaugural speech was delivered by the Health and Safety Consultant and a House of Representatives Hopeful-Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-udo aka Macaire which centered on peace and dedication to the actualization of the second term bids of our Governor and the performing Senator of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. He further stressed the need for youths to get meaningfully engaged in politics and not in thuggery or other nefarious activities.
An Elder Statesman and Deputy Chairman of the PDP Ikono Chapter- Hon David Ntuk stressed on the need for aspirants to respect the age-long zoning that was recently revitalised for justice and equity in Ikono. He lamented why some aspirants should resort to threats in the area and beckoned on the youths to shun politics of oath taking (mbiam politics) for their sake and that of their children no matter the enticement by aspirants whom he described as self-centered and over ambitious.
Highlights of the event was the inauguration of Defenders ward leadership by Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-udo who doubles as the principal of Mkpoikana-Abasi 2019 and having carried out his official consultation to the youth leaders towards his ambition in the 2019 elections.
Responses from the youth leaders were all in affirmative towards the consultation by Macaire. Many said that Macaire is a dream comes true.
While some branded him as “Udo Eka Jesus” others said that he is the “Joshua” who was destined to lead them to the promise land at the expiration of Moses.
In fairness, the name Macaire is like a religion in Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency which has marginally spread to Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District and the State at large. He won himself these accolades far before he was summoned by his people to contest as a Federal House Member in January 2018.
Recall that Macaire was unanimously chosen by Ntippe Ibibio (Ikono/Ini citizens) due to years of ineffective representations at an enlarged fasting and prayer summit in Ikono headquarters on the 3rd of January, 2018. Ever since then, the people have remained resolute to defend their choice.
However, there are pockets of contenders of the same position. Ironically these are people who were given a chance to deliver as a State House of Assembly Member (8yrs) and an incumbent House of Representatives Member (4years).
Ikono/Ini people have resolved not to see the Egyptians again.
