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By ETIM ETIM
Etim Ekpo LGA of Akwa Ibom State has been the most violent place during the last three general elections in Akwa Ibom State.
People were murdered and maimed in reckless abandon days before elections and on the voting day. It was always a big fight between PDP and APC. You’d think that you were in a war zone.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelBordered by Imo and Rivers State, Etim Ekpo witnessed serious cult-related violence between 2016 and 2019 until the government asked the military to intervene. The rumour then was that the cultists were disgruntled after they were abandoned by politicians who used them to foment trouble during the 2015 election.
The 2023 elections also witnessed a fair share of disturbances in Etim Ekpo, which is one of the 12 LGAs that make up Akpabio’s senatorial district. When therefore news filtered out early in the week that a PDP chieftain from the local government area, Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN, was defecting to APC, there was a combination of joy, doubt and trepidation in the state.
‘’Finally, Etim Ekpo will know peace’’ was the general retort among the people. On Wednesday evening, a radio station in Uyo, XL FM, actually invited me to discuss the implications of the event, and on Friday, there was a big rally at the local government’s stadium to receive the senior lawyer.
The State government and APC officials went into overdrive to make a political statement from it. But what was all the fuss about? I was determined to attend and find out.
At the huge rally, the State Woman Leader of APC, Obonganwan (Mrs) Obonodo Ini Uko who is from the community, alluded to the dreadful days of killings and electoral violence in her welcome speech. ‘’Elections here used to be war. There were so much killings and destructions. For 2027, I had vowed that it is either they kill all of us or we kill all of them. We had been planning for them… But with the coming of Enoidem into APC, the war is over…’’.
The crowd roared in laughter, cheers and sighs. She was referring to the fights between APC and PDP supporters. Speaker after speaker at the rally echoed the same theme: Enoidem’s defection is the elixir guaranteed to bring peace; Gov. Umo Eno’s brand of politics has fostered harmony and brought peace. The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Udeme Otong said Akwa Ibom is now one united peaceful family with a common vision. He commended Enoidem for the courage to leave the PDP and join APC.
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Clement Jimbo, who represents the area in the House of Representatives, repeated the same point. For Chief Assam Assam, another SAN and an APC leader from Eket senatorial District, the defection of Enoidem symbolizes peaceful coexistence in the state. ‘’All political disagreements are now over; everybody will support the President, Senate President and the governor’’, he said.
There was a mild drama when it was the turn of Minister of Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, to speak. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, apparently inspired by the convivial mood of the occasion, directed the minister and Saviour Enyiekere, chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, should walk up to the podium together, side-by-side to symbolize reconciliation. Although Ekpo and Enyiekere are Akpabio’s acolytes whose ascendancy was facilitated by the senate president, there’s been no love lost between them for some time now. They are said to be eyeing the governorship seat in 2031 and are currently engaging in the political equivalent of a military doctrine known as MAD (mutual assured destruction). The minister, however, played down on it in his speech at the rally. ‘’Let me use this opportunity to announce that all the speculations about my relationships with my brother here (Enyiekere) are not true’’, he said.
High point of yesterday’s event came when Enoidem received the broom, APC’s symbol, from the State Party chairman, Stephen Ntokekpo. Enoidem gave an impassioned speech, tracing his relationship with Gov. Eno and Akpabio, noting that he chose to join APC because of Eno’s persuasive skills. The decision, he summarized, was in the interest of Akwa Ibom State since all politics are local and majority of the people have indicated their preference for the ruling party instead of being in the opposition.
He caused a slight stir when he asked the governor to work towards bringing former governor Udom Emmanuel into the APC family. Not many are convinced that Mr. Emmanuel will make such a move. He has a morbid dislike for the Senate President. But a young political activist, Peter Udosen, who was watching the whole events with some disbelief, thinks differently: ‘’I would have doubted the possibility of Udom defecting, but if Enoidem himself could, why wouldn’t the former governor?’’, he asked rhetorically. Enoidem had repeatedly vowed in the past that he would never leave the PDP. Politicians!
Senator Akpabio and Gov. Eno walked up to the podium together to bring the event to a close as dusk set in. Akpabio thanked the governor for facilitating the defection of Enoidem. “This rally is like connecting me to one of my political mentees. I want to tell everyone that I am happy to receive Enoidem into the APC. “Today’s event signals the return of peace to Akwa Ibom State. And you know that peace drives progress and development in any community. He continued: “I must put it on record for the people of Etim Ekpo that despite the fact that Enoidem contested against me in 2023, you voted overwhelmingly for me. So now that he is back with us, we anticipate rancour free elections in 2027,”. Eno acknowledged that Enoidem had played a key role in his election as governor and appreciated him for joining the APC in the overall interest of the State. The governor disclosed that even before Enoidem’s defection, senior lawyer had assured him of his support for his reelection and that of Senator Akpabio, but he had reasoned that it would serve the interest of the State better if he joined the APC.
Change of parties by politicians has been widely vilified, but if any good could come from a defection, Akwa Ibom people are generally convinced that Enoidem’s movement would foster peace in his community.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
