N’Splash:

POLITICAL LEADERSHIP: MKPAT ENIN PDP, STAKEHOLDERS REJECT ENO IBANGA

*Bernard Udoh is politically stranded, needs rehab – Youth Leader

The Mkpat Enin Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has rejected the declaration of Prof Eno Ibanga as political leader of the local government area.

In their respective reactions to a video that was circulated online in which a former federal lawmaker, Hon. Bernard Udoh and a few others in a meeting, presented the newly reappointed Works Commissioner to some traditional rulers as their adopted political leader, the duo of Hon. Mfon Nkanteon, Vice Chairman (Eket Senatorial District) of the party and Hon. Emmanuel Jacob, Vice Chairman of the party in Mkpat Enin noted that the decision was merely the opinion of a few, as the party leadership in the area was unaware and not part of the decision, adding that such does not reflect the collective will of Mkpat Enin people.

In his reaction, Hon. Nkanteon said any statement or declaration made by anyone concerning the political leadership of Mkpat Enin was a personal opinion and can never be the position of the entire local government.

Nkanteon stated that Mkpat Enin as a local government did not convene stakeholders to discuss political leadership, hence, anything rumoured in that regard should be discarded.

The former council chairman said the last time Mkpat Enin stakeholders sat on same issue was at meeting with former governor Udom Emmanuel which the former governor had asked everyone to drop all interests and work together

When also contacted, Hon. Jacob in his reaction noted that the development was strange to the PDP leadership in the area, adding that the declaration was misleading and void.

Further faulting the process, Jacob stressed that in any case where a political leader was to be nominated and adopted, the party leadership and enlarged party stakeholders in the area should be notified and fully involved.

He also said that Hon. Udoh is neither a spokesperson of the party in Mkpat Enin nor the spokesperson of the stakeholders.

According to Jacob, it is possible for a group of people to gather at Prof Ibanga’s house, drink and begin to make declarations out of excitement, adding that their opinions can never reflect the general will or decision of the people.

He further noted that Udoh was no where seen working for the party during the last elections, therefore, could never have been in a position to speak in such a significant matter.

Meanwhile, a youth leader in the area, while also reacting to the development, advised the duo of Prof Ibanga and Hon. Udoh to find other means to feed their political selfishness without trying to trigger political crisis in the area and incite Mkpat Enin people against the governor who he said has just assumed office and needs to focus on settling into the burdening demands of his job.

“I am concerned because this Bernard in whom Prof suddenly found romance in, was nowhere in the struggle when we were battling the odds to ensure the governor’s victory. He was at a time rumoured to be working for YPP and there was nothing to prove the rumour false, as he was not seen anywhere working for PDP. Would Prof be scheming for political leadership today of YPP had won the guber election against our party?”, he queried further.

While also using the medium to congratulate Prof Ibanga on his reappointment into the state executive council, he further advised the returning works commissioner to pay more focus on delivering in his official assignments and quit romancing with expired politicians like Bernard Udoh who he claimed is politically stranded and needs rehabilitation.