By next month, December precisely, the tenure of this present Local Government Area administration in Akwa Ibom State will certainly come to an end; that is by law, and of course, there is no indication that there will be elections to usher in another round of elected Local Government officials to manage its affairs; thus, it is suspected that a transition committee will be put in place in the interim as politics of imposition is about to set in.
.In the light of this, aspirants, camps, god-fathers, stakeholders, kingmakers and political gladiators have set their machineries in motion to clinch the coveted seat in their various Local Government Areas. Consultations, trade-horsing have taken over the political landscape of different Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State with a view to asserting ones authority in the system.
However, Ikono Local Government Area is not an exception in this political scheming, but the area has been embroiled in some political spectacles lately; one of which is the zoning of the office of council chairmanship; who will be the Chairman if eventually zoned to that area.
Politics Of Imposition
This political dilemma and porosity has thoroughly exposed the local Government Area to intruders and interlopers to take advantage in order to feather their political nest in the area.
Lack of firm and far-reaching pronouncement by the “critical stakeholders and leaders” on the zone that will produce the Local Government Council chairman has made it possible for aspirants in the three geo-political zones to claim right of ownership of the said position without any recourse.
This seeming confusion is grossly blamed on the poor leadership of the PDP in Ikono and other of such local government area like Itu Etinan etc which has rendered the party vulnerable and depleted.
The latest of this imbroglio is the manipulations and scheming of member representing Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo who has allegedly presented one Engr. Oto-Obong Essien, a lady and serving Councilor representing Ukpom, ward six in Ikono Legislative council as the Chairman of Ikono.
To realize his scheming and manipulations, the said National law maker has employed the services of one Mr. Albert Inyang (BETOLA), who is said to have a very strong and cordial relationship with the State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno that span for decades.
It is alleged that. Ukpong-Udo will explore his relationship with the State Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, while, Mr. Albert Inyang (Betola) will use his relationship with Pastor Umo Eno, (Governor) to get the business done.
Also read: Bridging Political Differences to Foster Unity in Akwa Ibom State
This development has not gone down well with the PDP faithful and chieftains in the area giving the fact the Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo are of the member of the opposition in the State: the Young Progressive Party (YPP).
It is also alleged that the said Engr. Oto-Obong Essien, once took an oath to always play his script whenever the opportunity present itself.
According to political analysts in the area, Ukpong-Udo wants to impose his candidates on strategic positions in Ikono so that they can work for the success of his political dominant and future of Ikono Local Government Area
Nevertheless, negative reactions have continued to trail the attempt by Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo and Mr. Albert Inyang (Betola) to impose Engr. Oto-Obong Essien as the Chairman of Ikono Local Government Council, either as a Transition or Elected Chairman as this will not augur well for the people of the area or enhance the success of the Party in 2026 elections; that Mr. Albert Inyang (Betola) is a political neophyte in the area and knows little about Ikono politics; that he, Mr. Alfred Inyang (Betola), should not be used as an innocent instrument to plunge Ikono Local Government Area into another political crisis; that he Mr. Albert Inyang (Betola) should use his relationship with His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno to better the lots of Ikono people and the local Government Area.
The people of Ikono have condemned in totality this barefaced conspiracy and gang up against the collective and political will of Ikono will certain lead to the extinction of some legacies built by the PDP in the area should it be allowed to stand.
