… Ikot Ekpene Stakeholders Applaud Gov Umo Eno’s Timely, Just Intervention By Ukpong Ukpong The heated political debacle between Amayam and Urban clans, over who should produce the next elected Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area has been resolved with Amayam given the nod to produce the next elected chairman. This resolution came through an intervention by the governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, who doubles as state leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Recall that soon after the announcement of the forthcoming local government elections, followed by PDP stakeholders meeting in Uyo, where the governor admonished that zoning be respected across all local government areas, the political temperature in the premiere local government area rose dangerously towards a boiling point as party faithful and supporters from both clans tussled over who should take the chairmanship ticket. It became a concern for peace and continuous stability in Ikot Ekpene such that stakeholders convened an emergency meeting, calling for calm as they await the governor’s intervention in the matter. Eventually, last week Governor Umo Eno presided over such a mediation meeting where issues were tabled and weighed. According to our source, who was present at the meeting, but chose to speak off record, ” when the facts were laid out, it did not take the governor time to identify the truth and arrive at a verdict. ” This decision was accepted by all stakeholders from both Urban and Amayam”, he revealed. Reacting to the outcome of the recent mediation meeting, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, a highly respected political leader in Ikot Ekpene said “The governor’s direction is proper. He has said what is supposed to be, that is the zoning should go to Amayam and everybody is aware of that. Also baring his mind on the governor’s intervention, the Honorary Special Assistant to the Governor on Legislative Affairs, Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong described it as timely and just. Ekong pointed out that “the governor is right. Ikot Ekpene’s chairmanship position is for the Amayam clan because we had a meeting and agreed that it should be two terms per clan. He continued that “Amayam had their first term (soon after the two terms agreement) under Hon. Sunny Ibuot and then completed under Hon. Gloria Useh. “Then, when it came to Urban there was no election so Hon. Unyime Etim (Urban) was made the transition chairman. Upon expiration of that transition, there was still no election hence Hon. David Umanah, another Urban man was appointed transition chairman. “After Umanah finished, the election was conducted, and yet another Urban person, Hon. Unyime Etim, emerged as elected chairman. He stayed for three years, contested, and won again for another three years. “After that, another Urban person, Sir John Clayton was appointed a transition chairman, making a total of nine consecutive years in power for the Urban clan”. “So, I failed to see the reason why they said power should remain in the Urban.” He said. Furtherpunching holes on similar reasons for attempting to hold onto power, the former federal lawmaker opined that “their reason is that Amayam are not many, with 4½ wards and Urban is 6½ wards. For Godsake, what is zoning all about? Is it not about making the people who are not many also taste leadership and governance? ” So, I don’t see any reason why power shouldn’t shift to Amayam”. He quipped. On the argument about commissionership residing in Amayam, he retorted, “How can somebody say that Commissioner is from Amayam? Do you want to zone commissionership for the governor? The governor should feel free to choose anyone he wants to be commissioner. It’s not a new thing in Ikot Ekpene that we have two commissioners from a place. “When I was in the House of Assembly, Mr. Don Etim was Commissioner and Engr. Etido Inyang was also commissioned, both from Urban. Similarly, when Mr. Udom Emmanuel came on board, Pastor Sunny Ibuot was Commissioner as well as Prof. Nse Essien, both from Amayam. “Those were very flimsy reasons made to rob Amayam people of their right to produce a chairman. So, for me, the governor is very correct. The position of chairmanship is for Amayam people for two terms.” The General Manager/Secretary, of Akwa Ibom State Bulk Purchase Agency, Hon. Unyime Etim, was reluctant to comment on the issue. According to him, “protocol demands that once the governor talks, no one talks again. My comment is once the governor talks nobody talks.” However, on his part, a political stalwart from Amayam, Group Captain M. Using (rtd.) stated that God has used the governor to answer Amayam’s prayer. “This has been our desire. I thank the governor for this because he wants an all-inclusive government. “I thank him (the governor) very much for listening to the voice of the Amayam people. It’s been our desire because the zoning principle has been there between two clans, Urban and Amayam. ” We had agreed that when one one clan takes chairmanship of the party (PDP) the other should take chairmanship of the council and vice versa, but for more than ten years or so the chairmanship of local government has resided in Urban. So, it’s right that Amayam takes her turn at chairmanship. We have credible and competent people to serve in that capacity”. Also expressing the mind of Amayam women on the governor’s intervention, a notable woman leader from the area, Obonganwan Lucy Udo said “We thank God that the truth has finally been told and our governor is a man of honor. He has shown capacity and proven that he is a man of God because men of God don’t lie. She recalled that the governor once said ‘If zoning does not favor you, don’t bother to contest, do not deprive those that zoning favour to contest. ” So, Governor Umo Eno wants peace in the whole state because some of these issues on zoning would bring problems in some areas but the governor’s intervention is averting that. So, we thank him and pledged our total support to him”. She enthused.

  … Says Zoning Must Be Fair, Just, Acceptable A chairmanship aspirant in Ikot Ekpene, Hon. Iberedem Isonguyo Akpan, has pledged to work in tandem with stakeholders in the area to bring about growth and development in key economic sectors including agriculture, infrastructure, trade, security, and others. Speaking with our reporter through a mobile handset, the former Councillor of Nsiak, Ward 4, popularly known as Bebeto, maintained that after 73 years Ikot Ekpene should boast of core development hubs and move from being a mere experimental to an established model in local government administration. In his words, “I’ve prepared myself to lead and my track record as a Councillor proves that I’m a distinguished leader with a passion for excellence and a commitment to serving my people. ” With a rich political history and a plethora of achievements, I aspire to serve Ikot Ekpene people and lead us to where ought to be”. He stated. A sneak peep as his credentials reveals that Bebeto who was born on July 7, 1980, in Nsiak, Ikot Ekpene LGA, has risen through the ranks of leadership, leaving an indelible mark on every platform he has graced. As a graduate of the University of Uyo, where he bagged a degree in Library and Information Science, he equipped himself with relevant skills to excel in public service. During his tenure as elected Councilor representing Ikot Ekpene Urban Ward 4 (INEC) and Ward 5 (AKISIEC), between 2021 and 2023, he achieved among others the following, moving motions for the betterment of his constituents and Ikot Ekpene at large. He facilitated the grading of farm roads and rehabilitation of the Umuahia/Aba road intersection, moved the motion for the building of a health center in his ward, shared 95% of his salary with ward stakeholders and supporters, and offered financial grants to women and students. Other achievements include training six persons in skill acquisition, distributing customized exercise books and writing materials to pupils in all three primary schools in his Ward, sponsoring the Otoro Ubo Unity Football Cup competition, and sponsored his ward to participate in the 2022 Chairman’s Cup football competition and other sporting activities and building a family hall for his NTO INYANG EKPE FAMILY in Nsiak village as well as initiating, completing and donating a clean drinking borehole water to his community, tagged “Liberation Water” Hon. Iberedem Akpan, while speaking on the ongoing discourse about zoning in Ikot Ekpene, said there is no need for controversy because every enlightened stakeholder knows it is the turn of Ikot Ekpene Urban. According to him, zoning has been seen as fair, just, balanced, and accepted by all, pointing out that Pastor Sunny Ibuot, who was from Amayam, Ikot Ekpene Urban held the positions of State House of Assembly by Rt. Hon Nsikak Ekong, Chapter Chairman being Chief Sunny Ibanga, Commissioner being Mr. Don Etim, SSA to Governor being Engr. Etido Inyang hence Amayam appealed and sought a second term to balance the scale of power. “This was agreed on and effectively started two terms in office as part of zoning arrangements, which began with Pastor Sunny Ibuot (Amayam) and continued to the end with Mrs. Gloria Useh (Amayam). Ikot Ekpene Urban to its two terms and completed Hon. Unyime Etim (Ikot Ekpene Urban). “Ordinarily, the zoning should’ve gone to Amayam, but because Amayam now holds positions of Member of State House of Assembly, Commissioner, SSA to the governor and Chapter Chairman, there is equally need for equity, justice and balance of power in favor of Ikot Ekpene Urban”.

  By Senator Aniekan Bassey Senator Representing the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District   As Akwa Ibom State celebrates one of its revered sons, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, the immediate past Governor of the state, at 58, it is an opportune moment for the people of the state to reflect on his tenure and the profound impact of his leadership on the state. Serving as Governor from 2015 to 2023, Mr. Emmanuel’s administration, the Dakkada Era, was marked by peace, security and a series of transformative initiatives and achievements that have significantly shaped the socio-economic landscape of the state.   It is heartwarming to recall that one of the most defining aspects of Mr. Emmanuel’s governance was his unwavering commitment to economic diversification and industrialization. Understanding the perils of over-reliance on oil revenues, he spearheaded initiatives to develop other sectors of the economy. The establishment of Ibom Airline (Ibom Air), the Kings Flour Mill, the St Gabriel Coconut Factory, the Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company and the Metering Solutions Manufacturing Services Limited were key milestones, positioning Akwa Ibom as an industrial hub. These initiatives not only generated employment for the people of the state but also boosted the state’s economic profile, attracting numerous investments and fostering a more resilient economic structure.   Flipping through the pages of his achievements in the area of infrastructure development, the Dakkada Era saw unprecedented growth. Udom Emmanuel’s strategic focus on road construction and rehabilitation improved connectivity across the state. The construction of the Dakkada Towers (21-Storey Building) and the International Worship Centre stand as monumental achievement, symbolizing the state’s ambitions for growth, modernization and solemnity. Again, the completion of the Ikot Ekpene-Uyo Road, Four-Point by Sheraton Hotel and the ongoing Ibom Deep Seaport project is set to revolutionize the state’s economic landscape by enhancing maritime trade and attracting global investors.   In the area of sports development and new cities, the transformation of Eket and Ikot Ekpene into vibrant new cities with remodeled stadia that have become national landmarks is a lasting legacy. These stadia serve as venues for the Nigeria Premier Leagues and various youth recreational activities, ensuring they remain prominent in national memories. Indeed, any discussion about national football tournaments in Nigeria must include notable mentions of the stadia in Ikot Ekpene, Uyo, and Eket townships. This significant achievement is thanks to Udom Emmanuel.   In the area of healthcare and education, Udom Emmanuel’s tenure also brought significant advancements. The upgrading of healthcare facilities and the subsequent push for the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State University Teaching Hospital marked substantial progress in the state’s healthcare sector. These efforts have improved access to quality medical services and created a foundation for training future medical professionals. The State University Teaching Hospital, when fully launched, will complement the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) and also assist all the General Hospitals across the state.   The Dakkada Era also made substantial investments in school infrastructure and ensured free and compulsory education at the basic level. These initiatives led to increased school enrollment and enhanced the quality of education, preparing a generation of well-educated citizens ready to contribute to the state’s development.   Recognizing the potential of agriculture in driving economic growth and food security, Udom Emmanuel launched various agricultural programmes and initiatives. The establishment of coconut plantation, cassava plantation and expansion of palm oil plantations underscored his commitment to harnessing the state’s agricultural potential. These projects have not only aimed at achieving food security but have also provided income-generating opportunities for farmers, contributing to poverty reduction.   As Akwa Ibom celebrates Udom Emmanuel at 58 and his legacy as Governor, which was one of vision, ambition, and tangible progress, his efforts in economic diversification, infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and agriculture laid a solid foundation for the Pastor Umo Eno’s administration and the future growth of Akwa Ibom. As the state looks ahead, it remains poised to build on the advancements made during the Udom Emmanuel-led administration, ensuring that the seeds of progress sown under his leadership continue to flourish.   Happy Birthday, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, and thank you for your service to Akwa Ibom State.