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Ekarika, A Non Career Politician: a Better Alternative for Udom – Group
By Our Reporter
A socio-cultural organization in Annang land, Abek Keed that carters for the socio political and cultural needs of the local government areas of Abak, Etim Ekpo, Oruk Anam, Ika, Ukanafun, Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim, Obot Akara as well as non Annang Ikono and Ini local government areas has brought to an end the internal squabbling within the ranks of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State on who will be the running mate to Governor Udom Emmnauel come 2019 gubernatorial election.
Speaking with newsmen in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital soon after his return from a high caliber political meeting in Abuja, the Chairman, Special Project Department of Abek Keed, Adede Uduak U. Ephraim, JP said that the people of Abak-5 have lost confidence in the leadership of their political leaders, hence their resolution to cross over to other part of Annang Land to shop for Moses Ekpo’s replacement in the 2019 election.
Adede Ephraim recalled that there were names that were speculated for possible replacement such as DIG Udom Ekpoudom (Rtd.), who could have been a better candidate in view of his dint in the Police Force but was rejected because of the internal wars between him and his kinsmen and unresolved political crisis in their local government area, which led to creating many factions master minded by some political elements in the area to favour him to emerge as political leader, which was thwarted on like Mr. Udo Ekpenyong, whose home based political brawl has consumed many in the local government area.
Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, the current National Legal Adviser of the People Democratic Party (PDP) is said to have been settled within the current political dispensation besides, being a good material to represent the interest of the state at the PDP national. Barr. Nwoko, the present Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state; Chief Saviour Enyiekere, the immediate past chairman of Ika local government area and Mr. Unyime Idem, the Chief Executive Officer of Idems Ultimate Ltd were adjudged to be too young for the job given the fact that the governor is young argued that a young governor like Udom will need a stabilized and somewhat elderly deputy for the equation to balance, though the later very successful in his business endeavour.
The nomination of Pastor Nicholas J. Ekarika came as a child of circumstance in view of issues confronting Abak-5, “we do not want to lose the office of the Deputy Governor given to Annang land to Uyo Senatorial District because Governor Udom is an Ibibio man and we cannot concede deputy to Ibibio as a result of cheap political interest. That is why we resolved that the office of the deputy governor goes to Obot Akara”, Adede Ephraim noted.
He described Nicholas Ekarika as a team player in the polity of Akwa Ibom, a retired Permanent Secretary, former Chairman of the Board of Internal Revenue who has traversed the length and breadth of this state, “don’t forget Ekarika is a pastor in Deeper Life Church, a well disciplined person who also is stabilized and established in all ramifications, has the capacity in terms of followership and finance to support the course.
We are aware that Ekarika doles out items worth millions of naira every year to the people of Obot Akara as well as support to schools across the local government area and is at home with his people. Let me tell you what most people do not know about Ekarika, he is a man of principle, character, a disciplined statistician and an accountant per excellence who was sent on a rescue mission to the Akwa Ibom State Board of Internal Revenue at a time the government needed a person like him.
This is a man who served this state creditably and retired honourably, we know him, we read a lot about him on the pages of newspaper and wathed him speak eloquently on television. These are some of the things people want from a politician even though he has never been a card-carrying politician but selfless in the opportunity he has to empower his people”.
When asked of the credibility of their organization, Adede Uduak Ephraim noted, “Abek keed represents the ten local government areas in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, it is the voice of the youth, the strength of the elders, the commitment of the women and the wellbeing of the people of the senatorial districts. So, when we speak, it stands. Don’t forget that Abek keed transcends political parties and we will continue to do what we are doing because it is our commitment to our generation. It is our believe that for Governor Udom to have an hitch-free re-election and a successful second term devoid of rancor, he needs a man like Pastor Nicholas Ekarika as deputy governor come 2019”.
