Ika Transition Chairman, Elders At ‘War’
The Supreme Council of Elders in Ika LGA under the aegis of Ekamba Mboho Ika has expressed utter displeasure over a statement allegedly made by the Transition Chairman of Ika Local Government Area, Mr. Macdonald Marcus that the Akwa Ibom State Government has ceded Iko Udo, a border village to Abia State.
The Statement is alleged to have been made by Mr. Marcus when it was noticed that the Abia Government had graded roads up to Ikot Udo which has been a hotbed of bloody skirmishes occasioned by boundary dispute. It was gathered that the Chairman was required by Ekamba Mboho Ika to give the account of his stewardship during the meeting of the group at the residence of the member representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr. Gabriel Tobby, the Transition Chairman is alleged to have said that the Abia State Government has all the right to grade roads in Ikot Udo as it is part of Abia territory. Sources from Ekamba Mboho Ika alleged that the Transition Chairman has not recorded any achievement, but blame his poor performance on dwindling resources even as he does not give due regards to the elders who are the custodians of peace in the area.
Contacted to give his side of the story, the Transition Chairman, Marcus denied making such inflammatory statement, saying that the false allegation is a political vendetta with the ulterior motive of scoring cheap political goals.
Although he did not give the balance sheet of his achievements during interaction with our reporter, the Chairman maintained that as the chief security officer of the LGA, he has the right to select who should be elders. The Chairman informed our reporter that he did not walk out on the Elders as alleged, but the meeting had ended before he proceeded to another meeting. He explained that the boundary matters are not within the purview of the Local Government, adding that he has urged Mr. Tobby to take up Ikot Udo/Abia boundary matter in his capacity as the lawmaker representing the area as the 1973 Decree on the lingering matter is defective.
Sources said that some personalities at the Ekamba Mboho Ika meeting hosted by Mr. Tobby included former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Francis Udoikpong, Secretary of the State Traditional Rulers, Barr. Samuel Essien, Pastor ImoAbasi Jacob of AKICORP, among others.