2011: Ikot Ekpene people slam Attah...Vow to resist any Opposition

The people of the ancient city of Ikot Ekpene last Thursday vehemently condemned the action of the immediate past Governor of the State, Obong Victor Attah for fanning the embars of ethnicity by declaring support for Sen. John Udoegdehe with a view to truncating the existing power shift arrangement in the state which zoned the office of the governor in the state to Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district for 8 years. The people made their position known during a “Back to Back Succession Rally” organized by a political group in the state Support Group for Godswill Akpabio.

Speaking on the occasion, a political stalwart and chapter Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the area, Chief Sunny Ibanga said Ikot Ekpene people had earlier endorsed a promise keeper in the person of Chief Godswill Akpabio whom he noted has transformed the lives of the people through live touching projects. He maintained that any governorship aspirant coming to the area for campaign shall be viewed as an opposition and stressed the people will strongly resist such. He advised such aspirants to look elsewhere for support.

Delivering a keynote address, the grand patron of the Support Group for Godswill Akpabio and Commissioners for Housing and Urban Renewal, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem described Chief Victor Attah as an ethnic jingoist. He said Attah and his team were inside a drown boat while describing Sen. John Udoedeghe as a promise breaker.

The Housing and Urban Renewal Commissioner used the occasion to inform the people that there was no opposition in PDP in Akwa Ibom State even as he reiterated that the party had adopted Chief Godswill Akpabio for the 2011 race to the Hilltop Mansion.

Barr. Enoidem pledged the government's determination to continue to provide for the people of the state and called on the people to continue to support the Akpabio led government to attract more democracy dividends.

The Chairman on the occasion and executive Chairman Essien Udim Local Government Area, Chief Nse Ntuen said Obong Attah was pursing a selfish agenda that is doomed to fail.

The council helmsman wondered how Attah as a former governor in the state would take Sen Udoedeghe to places like Ika and Etim Ekpo when he (Attah) for 8 years failed to construct 'roads in those areas which were in dire need of such. He also questioned what magic Attah would use to install Udoedeghe as governor of the state when he could not, even with the advantage of being a sitting governor install his son-in-law, Udoma Ekarika to succeed him.

Chief Nse Ntuen who is also the State Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) commended the Support Group for Godswill Akpabio for organizing the rally to garner support for the re-election of Chief Godswill Akpabio, describing the rally as celebration of excellence arguing that the government has performed creditably well by bringing democracy dividends to the people of the state.

Earlier in his address, the National President of the Support Group for Godswill Akpabio, Mr. Jeremiah Umoette said the group was founded for the promotion of leadership excellence and good governance hence the reason why they are drumming support from all over Akwa Ibom State towards the re-election of Chief Akpabio in 2011. Mr. Umoette stressed that Akwa Ibom State people needed Chief Akpabio to return to the Hilltop mansion in 2011 in order to escape what he called “poverty and deprivation of past ages”.

The national president of the group noted that the Peoples Democratic Party in the state has advocated the maintenance of the status quo in the zoning formula with regard to elective positions in the next election to ensure fairness and political stability and however called for the zoning of Ikot Ekpene Senate seat to Abak Federal Constituency which is the only zone that is yet to occupy the office.

The event which was well attended attracted PDP Chapter Chairmen women groups , socio-political groups, traditional rulers, the clergy, youths and other supporters of the Chief Godswill Akpabio.