*HRM Edidem Ntuk Obom: “Ukpum Okon Clan, entire Ikot Abasi LGA want you as Chairman”
By Our Correspondent
Paramount Ruler of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, HRM, Edidem U. J. Ntuk Obom on Saturday, July 20, 2024 gave his royal blessing and endorsement to Barr. Ernest Akpan as he aspires to become the Executive Chairman of Ikot Abasi Local Government Council.
The Royal Father while pouring his blessings on the Chairmanship hopeful expressed his confidence that the people of Ukpum Okon Clan and the entire Ikot Abasi LGA want Ernest as Chairman. The Monarch warned that Ikot Abasi would no longer elect someone who does not know what to do.
“I’m very happy to receive you all at my Palace today”, Edidem Ntuk Obom said.
While debunking the rumours making the rounds that he had earlier endorsed anyone, the Royal Father said “The world is a difficult place where people lie a lot against people. They will lie that one said a thing that he or she did not say.
“We don’t want a candidate who won’t know anything to do. Some people feel that because they are closer to those in the corridors of power they should do whatever they like. It is not so…This time around, people have to vote. Ikot Abasi people will vote and vote rightly”.
Referring to Ernest, the Monarch continued “The masses in Ukpum Okon Clan know you and they want you. I also know that Ikot Abasi as a whole want you too. In fact, you have said all that I needed to say. You have come at the right time; a time that good things are about to happen in our local government areas.
“You have mentioned accountability. Someone wrote recently on the internet that so many Chairmen would be jailed; that the EFCC would be going after them. But I can say that we will be the luckiest people if you win at this time. In fact, what we had lacked in the past would come up because there will be enough money for development, not only in this clan, but the local government as a whole. So, I thank all of you very much for coming with him.
“Ernest, it’s God that gives power but He always pass through people. God will pass through these people and work in your favour. I pray the Almighty God to keep you.
This your political journey shall be in peace and harmony. If there shall be a calamity in the front, you shall be at the back. If calamity shall be at the back, you shall be at the front. Your campaign shall be peaceful allthrough in Jesus name, Amen”
Earlier in his speech, Barr Ernest said that he was at the Palace to formally inform the Royal Father of his intention to vie for the Chairmanship position, assuring him that he would never disappoint if elected.
“Your Majesty, I wouldn’t have started this campaign from outside only for you to hear that I have gone out of your house to campaign outside without your knowledge.
“Your Majesty, the Chairmanship position has been zoned to your own clan. And I am sure that you are quite aware of what’s going on that’s why I have come to seek your prayers, your blessings, your advice and support.
Your Majesty, it is on record that you have never blessed anybody and the person did not succeed. Anybody that takes blessings from this Palace would always succeed. Having followed keenly this historic trend, I have come today to prostate before you in order to get your blessing that would strengthen me for the political journey I want to embark upon.
“Your Majesty, I have come to inform you that I am aspiring at this time that local government autonomy has been granted. I am a Public administrator and a legal practitioner. Your Majesty, by the granting of this autonomy, it means that the local government would have the entirety of their allocations.
“And, such allocation would not be safe in the hands of a careless person. It shouldn’t be entrusted in the hands of someone who would not be able to manage it. That is why I have come today to most respectfully, say that having undergone the training on public financial management, as someone who understands the rudiments of the law, as someone who understands that the best way to manage the economy of this local government is to create an Economic Advisory Team; I am perfectly fit for this job.
“Such expected huge allocation is not to be handed to someone who would be running away with it. The share of our allocation should not be dealt with as a political settlement. It must be used for the overall development of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area. That is why I have come here, Your Majesty, to seek your blessing with assurances that I will not disgrace you”
In the entourage of the Chairmanship Aspirant to the Paramount Ruler’s Palace were the leader of Ukpum Okon Clan Council of Elders and Political Stakeholders; Chief Akpan Isaiah and the Chairman of Iman Village Council; Chief Akpan Dick.
Others were Mr. Attah Udom, PDP Chapter woman leader; Mrs. Carolyn Udoh amongst others, who took turns to express their joy over Barr Ernest’s wider acceptability by Ikot Abasi people.