The cold war is not unconnected to the Council Chairman’s plan to join the race for Uyo Senatorial District’s seat, in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, a decision our source say did not go down well with Uwem Ita Etuk. He argued that since the erstwhile PDP State Chairman nurses the ambition of becoming the next Deputy Governor of the state, come 2015, he is against any son of Ibesikpo from contesting, as it may affect his chances of being picked as running mate. Our source also accused Prince Etuk for what he called “pursuing selfish interest.” saying that the SA to Governor is afraid of the growing profile of the Incumbent Chairman, and is bent on frustrating him. The reliable source who said they are aware of a grand plot to impeach Ekpe James, however assured that they plan will not work, as the chairman has earned the support of his people, through projects initiated by his administration.
Further investigations revealed that, the councillors are fighting a proxy war on behalf of the Political Leader of Ibesikpo Asutan, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk. One of the aggrieved Councillors who would not like his name on print, revealed to our reporter that, the Leader (Uwem Ita Etuk) is in line for Deputy governorship slot, come 2015 and that ambition of Apostle James to gun for Senate can thwart his case. He said, Apostle James who was installed by the collective mandate of Ibesikpo Asutan people, as against a surrogate aspirant and one time councillor Ibesikpo Ward 2, Hon. Ita Udo Mbon, who was Prince Uwem Ita's choice. To Uwem, Ekpe has bitten the fingers that fed him by running a government contrary to the leader’s interest.
Another source from Obot Idim whom we spoke with described Uwem Ita Etuk as “someone pursuing selfish agenda” and not the interest of Ibesikpo. He warned that any attempt for him to impose any candidate on the people of the area, will be resisted. “if the Governor should support any candidate presented by Prince Etuk, we will have no choice but to decamp to another party.” He said. He said the experience the PDP had in Ibesikpo during the last elections will be reenacted as they will decamp en masse to APC.
A top politician in the area who pleaded anonymity in his reaction disclosed to our reporter that, what is happening in Ibesikpo Asutan is the begining of a revolution as the people are tired of one man rule from the so called "inwang",( Prince Uwem Ita Etuk's expansive farm at Nung Udoe) from where he dictates every political appointment or election that takes place in the area. He said, both men are locked in a battle of supremacy for who will emerge as the Lord of the ring come 2015. He also argued that Prince Etuk may have become uncomfortable with the rising political profile and popularity of his protege, Ekpe James in Ibesikpo Asutan and is now desperate to cut him to size.
The source dismissed the so called impeachment threat as a smoke screen and diversionary and laid the blame for the needless heatuing up of the polity in Ibesikpo Asutan on the selfish agenda of one man who wants to put the entire council in his pocket.
Meanwhile, some stakeholders and leaders of thought have waded in to resolve the crisis as both Uwem Ita Etuk and Apostle Ekpe James have declined to come out and make any statements on the crisis brewing in the area.
A forum known as Ibesikpo Stakeholders have declared their total support for the Hon. Apostle Ekpe James led administration in Ibesikpo Asutan. The stakeholders made their stance known in a Press Statement signed by the Chairman of the Forum, Hon. Udoma John Udoma and Secretary, Comrade Unyime Ekong which was made available to our newsroom.
... STAKEHOLDERS FLAY IMPEACMENT MOVE AGAINST APOSTLE EKPE JAMES, LAUD AKPABIO
The Ward 3 stakeholders in the Statement passed a vote of confidence in Apostle James, who the said has emerged as a breath of fresh air and renewed hope to the people of Ibesikpo Asutan. While acknowledging what they say, is a replication of good governance and showers of the dividends of democracy to the people of Ibesikpo Asutan, the statement lauded the Chairman for his unprecedented achievements in the Council.
The Ward 3 Stakeholders particularly commended the Chairman for his human empowerment and capacity development initiative in Ibesikpo which the Statement says includes the engagement of 240 women to sweep streets and keep Ibesikpo clean and recruitment of over 300 youths in Committees in the Council administration where the are gainfully rewarded. They further added that Apostle James has on his pay roll over 35 Aides, all geared at meaningfully engaging the teeming numbers of unemployed persons in the Area.
These acts the statement reads, is a clear replication of the Uncommon Transformation Agenda of Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio, who the group equally lauded for raising the bar of development, leadership and good governance and for his positive transformation from which Ibesikpo Asutan has benefited tremendously.
The Stakeholders frowned against the recent problem in Ibesikpo where it is alleged, some Councillors have moved to impeach the Chairman. They condemned such a move if at all it exists and urged every aggrieved party to explore the long established conflict resolution mechanisms in the Council Area to amicably resolve their differences.
While insisting that the traditional zoning system in Ibesikpo Asutan remains sacrosanct and should not be altered, the stakeholders urged the accredited leaders of Ibesikpo Asutan to wade into the face off and see to it that peace and stability is sustained in the area.
In a chat with our correspondent, Hon Udoma, who is the immediate past Leader of Ibesikpo Asutan Legislature dismissed as ill conceived any plot of impeachment and called for dialogue to be explored in the overall interest of the people. He charged the people, party elders, women and youths, religious and traditional leaders and organizations to all rally behind and support Apostle Ekpe James to continue his good work. In a related development, Comrade Unyime Ekong and IFiok Okon a.k.a Philo declared the unwavering support and solidarity of Ibesikpo Ward 3 Stakeholders for the Apostle James led administration. And called on all people of goodwill and residents of Ibesikpo Asutan to do same.
It will be recalled that, some Councillors allegedly instigated by the erstwhile PDP State Chairman, recently passed a vote of no confidence on the Chairman and threatened to commence impeachment processes against him.
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