By Paulinus Nnah
As calls for re-election in next year’s State Assembly election of the current member representing Mkpat Enin State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly AKHA), Hon. Otobong Ndem, continue to mount, the elders and leaders of various gender and status groups in Ibiaku Clan in Mkpat Enin LGA have turned out in numbers to register their demand for adoption of the serving House member to be returned for second term.
The event which was organized by the political leader of the clan, Mr. Martins Ikono in his Mkpat Enin residence on Thursday, January 18, 2018, also witnessed an overwhelming and unanimous support by the stakeholders for a standing and institutionalized two-term zoning arrangement for the House of Assembly slot in the LGA.
Mr. Ikono, while setting the tone for the meeting, reminded the people that a two-term representation precedent was set during the turn of Ikpa Ikono Clan through the representation of the immediate past House member from the clan, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ekong Sampson, adding that it will only be fair and rancour-free for the arrangement to go round all other clans of the area.
He, therefore, expressed gratitude to the people for the large turnout in response to his call, especially now that the people needed to take a positive stance regarding the State House of Assembly race in 2019 which he described as a “two-edged sword”.
Speaking further, Martins Ikono explained that the elders and leaders of the clan should choose between contesting for the slot with the incumbent, Hon. Otobong Ndem, who hails from Ikpa Ibom Clan, which is one of the two most powerful clans in Mkpat Enin economically, politically and in population, and which would most likely crash out; and allowing Hon. Ndem to stay his second term and then smoothly hand over for Ibiaku Clan to take its turn in 2023. “We cannot and will not afford to make any mistake in this issue now which will affect our children and our children’s children negatively politically,” he said.
Also speaking on the occasion, Chief Eseme J. Akpan called for a deeper consideration on the issue at stake, noting that Ibiaku Clan lacked the political capacity and numerical strength to attempt to contend for political positions with such mega clans such as Ikpa Ibom and its sister mega clan of Ukpum Minya.
He cautioned the people against any resolution that would tend to put the clan at loggerheads politically with Otobong Ndem in particular and Ikpa Ibom Clan in general, saying “if that happens, we are very likely going to fail because of their numerical strength will simply overwhelm ours.
“The only favourable step left for us to take right now is to cooperate with Ikpa Ibom Clan at present so that we will also win their cooperation when it will be our turn in 2023 in the House of Assembly slot.
“What I am really saying here is that when Ekong Sampson from Ikpa Ikono has done his tenure in the House twice, it will be foolhardy to start an unnecessary fight, because the person that has followed suit is Hon. Otobong Ndem, and he must be allowed to also do his two terms in order for fairness and justice to be done in the matter. By this, Ibiaku Clan will enjoy a smooth take-over when its turn comes.
“For me, there is wisdom in trying to negotiate with a mega clan like Ikpa Ibom instead of attempting to gear up for a fight with them.”
Chief Eseme Akpan bemoaned the lack of presence of Ibiaku sons and daughters in any of the notable political positions in the state, elective or appointive, adding that he was ready “body and soul” to append his signature in total support for second term bid of Hon. Otobong Ndem.
Evang. Emmanuel Eshiet, on his own part, while adjudging the discourse as “apt and critical” expressed satisfaction over the calibre of the stakeholders that were present at the event, saying “they have a track record of being truthful whenever the need would arise. These are those that are always after the betterment and the overall interest of our clan.
“I was there when Ibiaku adopted that Otobong Ndem should do two tenures” in the state assembly slot.
He, however, stated that there was nothing wrong for anyone to vie for any elective position at any time, but that it is one thing to run for an elective office, but that it is another for the one to get the people’s mandate, while urging discussants to respect the position put forward by the clan’s political leader, Mr. Martins Ikono, and so toe his direction on the issue.
Evang. Eshiet, therefore, called on all present to take the outcome of the meeting to all nooks and crannies of Ibiaku Clan in order for wide consultation embarked upon by the incumbent House member in the clan to be justified, while noting that Hon. Ndem has since been enjoying the support of the people who have been calling for his re-election to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly at different fora.
Speaker after speaker, the gathering witnessed a corroboration of views in support of the Ibiaku Clan to stand for zoning arrangement of two-tenure per slot and to queue behind Hon. Otobong Ndem in his re-election bid come 2019.
In his vote of thanks, Dr. Friday Akpabio appreciated the frankness demonstrated by the people during the deliberations, stressing that there would have not been any need for any argument over the issue since a two-tenure precedent has been set in the re-election of Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ekong Sampson into the state Assembly, hence the need for all major stakeholders to brainstorm on the issue as early as now.
He reassured that the next meeting would be enlarged and would incorporate the royal fathers and other major stakeholders from the clan.
The following stakeholders were present at the event: Mr. Martins Ikono, the political leader of Ibiaku Clan; Dr. Friday Akpabio, Mr. Sam Umoeyo, Chief Eseme J. Akpan, Evang. Emmanuel Eshiet, Hon. Ikpa, Deac. Usen Ikpe, Prince Atah Patrick Ememe, Comrade Ubong Ekott, Comrade Ubong Ememe, Comrade Ubong Ekarika, Comrade Joseph Ekim, Mr. Monday Isong, Comrade Okon Akan Essien, Mr. Essien Udo Efit, Ms. Etop David Sam, Mr. Udo Raleigh, Chief Udo Udo, Prince Sunday S. Akpan, Mr. Okon Akpan Udo-Inyang, Mr. Usoro Dan Ufot, Ms. Itoro Henry, Comrade Daniel Ukpong, Engr. Enobong Ukpong, Madam Grace Okon, Hon. Christian Jumbo (Leader of Mkpat Enin Legislative House), and a host of others.
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