‘Hon. Ikpe is the first and only Chapter Chairman of a political party that empowered the physically challenged; and also donated Educational materials every September to pupils and students throughout his tenure’
In less than 48 hours, the new Chapter Chairman of PDP in Nsit Ibom LGA would be unveiled. The person favoured, head or tail, shall be an Nsit Ibom son. But my worry is whether he will be able to wear the shoes worn already by Hon. Nsikak Ikpe? Why I ask this question is that Hon. Ikpe inherited a shoe worn previously by others, but he, perhaps, out of selfdevelopment or inborn traits, used his legs (sorry, his head) to stretch the shoe already worn by his predecessors, and enlarged same to his size and worldviews. Hence, the need for another or better Nsikak Ikpe.
No pun intended, the PDP at present in Nsit Ibom LGA is well run. The party has grown in size and leap. Therefore, suffice to state that the growth or otherwise of an organization or society is dependent on its leadership. And of course, no organization can grow above the level of its leader. An organization, be it political, social, educational or religious is a reflection of its leadership. A tyrant leader breeds a conglomeration of imperialists. A weak leader breeds a puppet organization, and a sound leader evolves a vibrant conglomerate.
As presently constituted, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nsit Ibom LGA is vibrant and very attractive because of its leadership. Far away from its past, the PDP today in the local government is well run, and wears a human face. The Party now commands a lot of respect, exerts a lot of influences, and allows decorum to guide its conducts, while abhorring pandemonium in its entirety within the party. Not that the party is without a hiccup or fracas which is the in-thing in every organization; but the ability and dexterity with which those minor fracas are managed is enough to score the Nsikak Ikpe leadership of the Party high. May the unity enjoyed and experienced in the Party in Nsit Ibom under Nsikak Ikpe not retire with him as he steps down in Jesus Name!
Leadership is not achieved in a vacuum. Leadership is not accidental. Leadership is exhibited by a leader. Thus, Hon. Nsikak Ikpe deserves a standing ovation for his effort in leading Nsit Ibom PDP to the height it has attained today. In fact, the growth of the party in the local government area is Nsikak Ikpe’s design, hence, little wonder why he was unanimously elected twice to the same office by the stakeholders.
Checks by this writer revealed that the prayer submits organized by the PDP in the State is a direct borrowing of PDP prayer summit pioneered by Hon. Nsikak Ikpe in Nsit Ibom chapter. Hon. Ikpe started a prayer submit in the Party in 2016 at the party secretariat, Afaha Offiong, and sustained it to this date. The prayer is held in every second Friday of every month.
Hon. Ikpe is the first and only Chapter Chairman of a political party that empowered the physically challenged; and also donated Educational materials every September to pupils and students throughout his tenure. Scholarships were also awarded by Hon Ikpe- led PDP in Nsit Ibom to students of Nsit Ibom origin in tertiary institutions.
Hon. Ikpe is a leader in the true sense of the word. He has always lead. For instance, during his tenure as a councilor he gave Nkwot Nsit a functional bore hole with brand new generating plant, and contructed a civic center in his village.
A BETTER NSIKAK IKPE NEEDED
If the PDP must continue to wax strong in Nsit Ibom LGA, then another or a better Nsikak Ikpe is desperately needed. This is to say that whosoever that would emerge as the PDP Chapter Chairman must be measured with Nsikak Ikpe’s yardstick otherwise the party will roll down a steep sloppy valley.
The new chapter chairman of the PDP in Nsit Ibom LGA must be learned, sound, sociable, friendly but firm (firm in decision making and taking); must be liberal and Godly. Nsikak Ikpe throughout his tenure did not exhibited inferiority complex. Throughout his tenure he did not prove to be someone stooge or someone’s page. Rather, he exhibited bravery and independence. One trait that endears him to his fellow Nsit Ibom people has been his love for knowledge. Nsikak Ikpe did not allow his busy schedule and high demands of his office to veer him off his books, rather he studied more to show himself approved, and has proven that he’s a young man that knows his onions!
THE CHOICES BEFORE THE PDP FAITHFUL IN NSIT IBOM LGA
About 5 aspirants are jostling for the PDP chapter chairmanship, hence, the need to critically appraise them, if the PDP in Nsit Ibom LGA must continue to stay afloat and strong.
RT. HON. UBONG EKONG:
Hon. Ubong Ekong is an experienced politician. As a very young lad (then, a little above his teen) he was elected a councillor representing Asang Ward IV in 1996. He was elected Vice Chairman of Nsit Ibom LGA between 2012 and 2015. Rt. Hon. Ubong is a graduate, and a very sound one at that. He has always been around. In terms of contacts and charisma that PDP chapter chairmanship requires, he is on ground. One thing he is known for: he stands for justice and abhores political prebendalism.
HON. ENO UDONSEK:
Udonsek is the immediate past council Secretary of Nsit Ibom LGA. Like Nsikak Ikpe, he has returned to the University of Uyo (after his first degree) for another degree in Law. Hon. Udonsek, also from Asang Ward 4, is a very humble person, very meticulous, and very prudent and detailed in managing people and resources. He is friendly, but firm.
Are you surprised that he makes the list of those ankling to succeed Hon. Ikpe? Don’t be surprise, but watch out for the game in a few hours from now!
HON. ENGR. EMAH EKONG:
Emah Ekong is truly an Engineer, trained by the prestigious University of Uyo. His engineering stance is bagged by COREN. This is one guy everyone admires because of his friendly disposition. Little wonder why he suddenly rise in the business world.
Engr Ekong is an entrepreneur of note. The CEO of NDIKEODUMA Relaxation Spot. Besides that, he has been around for a while now. Emah Ekong has been in Nsit Ibom council as a Supervisor and Special Adviser. He has always been in the PDP, and like others listed above, he has contributed financially to the party in Asang Ward 4 and Nsit Ibom at large. He is competent enough to lead the party in the local government area.
MR. GODWIN NATHANIEL:
Godwin Nathaniel is from Asang Ward 4, too. He was appointed a supervisor in Hon. Eric Akpan – Nsit Ibom Council. Before this, he had been the Ward Chairman of the Party in Asang Ward 4. His résumé is in obscurity, but his strength is in Eric Akpan who, like kangaroo, is carrying him around and about, proclaiming his imminent take over from Hon. Nsikak Ikpe. This sells him out as Eric’s stooge who will only dance to the drum of his master at the detriment of the Party in the local government area.
MR. INYANG INYANG:
From Asang Ward 2, Mr. Inyang, popularly known as Pupa, has been a member of Nsit Ibom Transition Committee. He is a graduate, sound and lettered to hand over the running of the party in the local government area to.
POSTSCRIPT: This essay is written in good faith to guide the PDP stakeholders in Nsit Ibom to choose wisely. However, I remain Thomas Thomas, and by the grace of God Almighty, I live at The Green River, Ikot Akpa in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, where no puppet can reach for consultation.