The recent stakeholders meeting convened by the Chairman of Uyo Local Government council had ended in a fierce disagreement on the direction to follow come 2015 governorship election. The Chairman had earlier informed the gathering that they have to follow the direction of the state Governor to produce the next Governor from Eket Senatorial district. He strongly appealed to the Elders, especially those who boycotted the meeting that they should support the present zoning to Eket Senatorial District as the only panacea for continuation to reap the dividends of democracy. He said that Uyo should not play the opposition again so that they will not be sidelined in the developmental stride of the government in power. He enumerated his council’s readiness to negotiate well for the generality of Uyo people. On Administration, he blamed the high enrolment cost of the pupil thereby attracting an increase in the number of teachers with accompanying high wages and salaries which are deducted at source from their monthly allocations arguing that the shortfall in federal allocation in recent times has adversely affected the completion and execution of some proposed projects.
On infrastructural development, the
chairman said, on his assumption of office, buildings which accommodated both
the political office holders and career civil servant were inadequate and obsolete
and in some cases dilapidated; this informed his decision to embark on the
construction of projects through prudent management of available
resources. He listed the following project
which was commissioned as follows: Executive Chairman’s office, Administration,
legislative chambers, Office for legislators, ICT block, Gate House and
landscaping of the secretariat phase 1, all he said has been fully furnished
with appliances to enhance effective discharge of functions by political office
holders and staff. He also informed the gathering that Uyo had lost an appeal
case against Anchor Insurance on Council property. He also listed his successes to include,
Education, Health, Sports, Agriculture, Finance, and community development
On politics he charged Uyo people to
take active part, while playing rotational role in the selection process of
leaders at every level of governance. “It is expected that Uyo, being a state
capital and the Local Government headquarter will negotiate for a rightful
position on the political map of Akwa Ibom State”, he quipped. He also formally
confirmed that House of Assembly seat was zoned to Oku Uyo while the Local
Government Chairmanship has been zoned to Ikono Uyo.
Reacting; on 2015 governorship
election: the Chairman said since the governor is the leader of the party he
personally cannot oppose him. He advised the people of Uyo not to play politics
without benefit and called on the Elders to follow him to transfer power to a
person the Governor considers capable and dynamic.
Some Uyo stakeholders who spoke at
the occasion opposed to the chairman’s for what they described as “blind
leadership” pointing out that for him (Ekerete) to urge them to support any
candidate put forward by Governor Godswill Akpabio’s without adequately
negotiating their interest and benefits is unacceptable. Amongst those who opposed Ekerete’s opinion was Elder Enefiok Ekefre who said the Chairman
will be on his own if he goes ahead to support any candidate who will treat Uyo
people like political canvassers. Also speaking, Hon. Essien Nkanga said in
2015 governorship election, Uyo people cannot be mocked, he therefore called on
rounds of meetings to streamline their position come 2015 governorship
election.
The High point of the gathering was the
moving of a motion by Hon. Archibong Inyang calling on President Goodluck Ebele
Jonathan to run for presidency come 2015, and seconded by Barr. Mfon Ben.
The Chairman of the occasion and
Obong Ifiok of Uyo, Obong Enefiok Uwa appealed to the Chairman of the Council
to always call for this kind of meetings to meet and chat a course to move Uyo
forward, politically.
Those who were absent at the meeting
include; Mkpisong P. J Okon, Prince Victor Utuk, Dr. Maurice Ebong, Obong Rita
Akpan former minister of Women affairs, Hon. Samuel Effanga, Obong Barr. Aniedi
Ndem, Hon. Chris Nyong, Obong Okokon Etuk, Hon. Justice Ekong, Mr. Austin Utuk,
Obong Cyril Ekiko, Barr. Eno Inyang, Mrs. Gloria Udofia, Hon Christopher
Udofia, Chief Ukpong Dan Umoh, Sir Val Attah, Hon. Monday Eyo, and Hon. Ekere
Afia and the host of other who are prominent personalities in Uyo politics,
leading many to believe they boycotted the meenting.
In a chat with some of those opposed
to the chairman’s stance, they disclosed that the Uyo Local Government Chairman Hon. Ekerete
Ekpenyong who is a prominent member of the popular “I” eleven, will do
everything possible to impose upon his fellow citizens of Uyo to accept his
proposition, which uyo people will vehemently oppose. It was also noted that in
the said meeting a prominent son of the soil and the Honourable Commissioner
for Environment, Hon. Eno-obong Uwa was conspicuously absent; this they said may
not be unconnected with the recent disagreement between the duo, they also
noted that, democracy is all about the government of the people for the people
and by the people and it should be all inclusive.
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