An emerging political crisis has threatened the interests of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Odio and Ndita Communities of Eket Central 7 Ward in Eket Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom, if not nipped in the bud.
The sad development is not unconnected with the staged managed councillorship race on Thursday, July 18, 2024, where an unpopular aspirant, Mr. Itoho Ebito, who is currently a transition committee member representing the ward, was announced as the “consensus candidate” for the upcoming local government polls.
The purported adoption of Mr. Itohowo Ebito on grounds of being a “system candidate” against the popular choice of the people and party, Daniel Essien Usoro, who is a key promoter of the Governor Umo Eno-led administration, has caused sharp division and bickering in the hitherto united Ward 7.
Trouble erupted when all the critical stakeholders first met in a closed-door meeting to see how a consensus agreement could be fashioned out, but it was deadlocked as the two leading contenders in the race, Itohowo Ebito and Daniel Essien Usoro, insisted on going to the field to test their popularity after the third aspirant, Aniefiok Essien Fan, threw in the towel, setting the pace for the battle royale.
An eyewitness account had it that in the fierce battle to foist Ebito as the consensus candidate, motion and counter motion were moved.
Grapevine sources had it that the Ward Leader, Apostle Sunday Akpadiaha, who was favourably disposed to giving the ticket to his “anointed” aspirant, still tried to have a say in this vexed issue, but the majority still had their way.
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It was at this juncture that Barrister Fan Gabriel moved a motion that Itohowo Ebito should be adopted as the consensus candidate, and it was supported by Mr. Sammy Idiok.
The Deputy Leader of the Ward, Hon. Eric EtukAkpan, then stood up and countered the motion, insisting that transparent, fair and credible mock primaries involving all stakeholders should be conducted according to the guidelines of the party so as to give the two aspirants a level playing field. The ward chairman, Mr. Innocent Inyang, also supported the prayers of his deputy ward leader. Then the bubbles burst.
It was further learned that the Chapter Woman Leader, Hon. Emem Francis, fearing that her constituents may finally engage in fisticuffs on a strange land, suggested that the pending mock primaries should be moved to the ward centre, where all stakeholders will be given a sense of belonging to participate fully in the process. Her noble idea was supported by a former councillor, Hon. Emem Wilson.
Moments later, village youths invaded the meeting arena, saying that they all wanted to be involved in the selection process, and hell was let loose and the two factions parted ways, chanting “to your tents, O Odio and Nditia.”
But in a sudden twist of events, the other faction loyal to the ward leader later reconvened and adopted their preferred aspirant as the consensus candidate, in what political pundits referred to as a charade and mind-blowing imposition, throwing all ethos of democratic values into the dust bin.
All frantic efforts made by this reporter, as at press time, to reach the ward leader, Apostle Sunday Akpadiaha, also a retired Permanent Secretary and former Akwa Ibom State Head of Civil Service, for his own side of the story, proved abortive as his telephone number was not going through.
It would be recalled that at a recent meeting held at the Eket PDP Chapter Office, comprising ward leaders, ward chairmen and chapter executive, Obongiwaad Emmanuel Mbong clearly stated that where consensus cannot be reached amicably, each and every aspirant should be allowed to test his or her popularity at the polls, as the party would not condone the unjust shutting out of some aspirants in the councillorship race.
The identified flash points were Okon 1 ward, Central 2, 3, 4, and 7 wards, but all four wards in urban geopolitical zones were given a clean bill of health by the party hierarchy.
