Mkpat Enin Urban boils Over Councillorship Crisis in Akwa Ibom

 

 

By Freshgist 

Mkpat Enin Urban is in turmoil as Traditional Elders, Women, and Youth from Ukpum Minya INEC Ward 4 and AKISEC Ward 5 vehemently oppose the imposition of a councillorship candidate by the People's Democratic Party (PDP), calling the action unfair.

The youth president of Ukpum Minya INEC Ward 4 AKISEC Ward 5, which includes the villages of Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi Ufon, Nung Ukim 3, Ikot Akpe, and Ikot Obio Akwa, disclosed to our correspondent on Thursday that the councillorship position was originally zoned to Ikot Obio Akwa village. A mock election held in the ward had declared Mr. Victor Markson the winner.

Discontent grew when Honorable Uwem Peter Imoh-Ita, representing Mkpat Enin state constituency, allegedly decided to replace Victor Markson with Chinenye Isaac, a non-indigenous woman, without following due consultation. This action, according to local leaders, goes against the directives of the state governor regarding the councillorship election process.

The community insists that the mock election results, which saw Comrade Victor Markson defeating Isaac Simon and Mfreke Donald, should be honored. They were shocked when Chinenye Isaac, who was not a contestant and is not recognized by the ward, was announced as the chosen candidate.

"Chinenye does not even have a voter’s card registered in this ward. Her only connection here is her relationship with a local resident," the ward president remarked.

Also speaking, Mrs. Blessing Anthony Ekerete, the woman leader of Mboho Mkparawa Idung Ition, expressed her surprise at the alteration of the mock election results. She called for immediate intervention from stakeholders and the state governor.

"We don't know Chinenye. We want Comrade Victor Markson, who won the mock election, to be our councilor. I urge our stakeholders and Governor Umo Eno to intervene promptly as the election is tomorrow," she stated.

On his part, Elder Etefia Johny commended Governor Umo Eno for his commitment to inclusive governance and urged the community to remain calm. He assured the youth that the governor and the party would address their concerns, maintaining that the mock election results are valid and should be respected.

The community has warned that failure to honor the mock election outcome could lead to a serious Crises in the forthcoming election, as Ukpum Minya INEC Ward 4 AKISEC Ward 5, located in Mkpat Enin Urban, remains a politically sensitive area.