Group dismisses selection of Eno Ibanga as Mkpat Enin Political Leader

A socio-political group, Mkpat Enin Unity Network has dismissed the selection of Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga as Political Leader of Mkpat Enin local government area.

In a release signed by Akpabio Ufot- Akpabio, National Coordinator; Barr. Ebute Ebute, General Secretary; Mr. Joe Akpan, Chapter Coordinator and Hon. Udoiyang Mbat, Dir. Pub. Affairs/ Media, the group expressed reservations in the process that led to the emergence of Eno Ibanga as political leader in the area.

They recalled crisis that erupted in Mkpat Enin some years ago on the choice of a political leader, and advised purveyors of what they described as “ignoble agendum” to have a re-think and retract their action in the interest of the Hon. Commissioner and the people of Mkpat Enin LGA.

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“In as much as we are not against the emergence of anybody as political leader of Mkpat, Enin LGA, we are strongly against the process that led to such controversial action especially when our major stakeholders were neither consulted nor made to be part of the process. We are therefore concerned that such action could threaten the peace of our people thus giving the impression that could associate our peace-loving people with political upheavals as witnessed in other local government areas.

“We recall the crisis that erupted in Mkpat Enin some years ago over the issue of political leader. Some of the characters involved in this elaborate charade witnessed the crisis then. Indeed, worried by the tension that characterized the issue, the former Governor, HE Udom Emmanuel in a meeting with Mkpat Enin Stakeholders, personally advised our stakeholders to suspend the issue of political leader in the area for the interest of peace.

“To this end, we want to strongly advise the masterminds of the ignoble agendum to have a re-think and retract their action in the interest of the Hon. Commissioner and the people of Mkpat Enin LGA.

“As stakeholders, we do advise that: The Hon. Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, rather than chase agenda that will not help him in his assigned duties, he should rather concentrate on helping the State Governor actualize his ARISE Agenda for rural development. The Governor’s charge on Hon. Commissioners to interpret Government policies and programmes in their various LGAs should not be misconstrued to mean chasing political leadership. Rather, the Governor was simply urging them to go implement the policies of government at the grassroots. While other Commissioners have gone back to comply with the Governor’s directives with humility, that of Mkpat Enin has been misinterpreted to further selfish, distracting political ambitions.

“We urge the purveyors of this ill-motivated course to save the Hon. Commissioner the needless trouble and embarrassment and allow him to face his job squarely. It would be the height of irresponsible comedy to contemplate that in a Local Government Area where the likes of Senator Ekong Sampson, Senator representing the whole Eket Senatorial District, HE Lady Valerie Ebe, former Deputy Governor, Dr. Sidney Udofot, Chairman, Mkpat Enin Elders Forum, topmost PDP officers and other leaders come from, anybody can contemplate bringing Prof. Eno Ibanga – a serving Commissioner as “Political Leader”!. Do they want an elected Senator and a former Deputy Governor to take orders from an appointee? How can that not cause conflict? Is all this the result of envy, ignorance, greed, or even witchcraft taken too far? Why were Mkpat Enin leaders and other well known stakeholders not consulted before such a hasty expedition? What are some people looking for, really?”