Aniefiok Christopher
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo has come under fire over what critics see as his ‘overbearing comment’ on the Chairman of Abak Local Government Area, Mrs Ime Effiong Charles.
Ekperikpe, a one-time Chairman of Ika Local Government Area and a former member of the House of Representatives is seen in a viral video to have spoken brashly questioned the Chairman’s absence at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youths Rally at Etim Ekpo Council Secretariat, Utu Etim Ekpo on Thursday, October 22.
During the rally by Etim Ekpo and Ika youths, Ekperikpe said ‘‘Though I have not seen the Chairman of Abak Local Government, she will explain to me why she is not here. I am not Ekperikpo Ekpo. I am a sitting Minister of the Federal Cabinet.’’
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Straightnews gathered from reliable sources that the Abak Local Government Chairman was sidelined by the planners of the event and was not invited to the event.
Akwa Ibom Political Platform confirmed on its official Facebook page that ” …the grand rally was organised by the youths of two local government areas- Etim Ekpo and Ika…”
Eventually, the member representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Clement Jimbo, who attended the event on invitation, thanked the Chairman of Etim Ekpo, Mr. Gideon Uwa and that of Ika, Mr. Utibe Nwoko for endorsing him for a second term in office.
Based on what most netizens see as ‘‘arrogant attitude and comment,’’ they have kicked against the comment of the Minister whom they regarded as ‘‘Appointed official’’ for displaying such attitude to an elected public office holder.
Lashing at the Minister in their social media over the comment, Divine Sam, a journalist wrote ‘‘Ministerial appointment is temporary; the people’s mandate deserves respect. Abak is not anybody’s political kingdom!
‘‘Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), I watched the controversy video surrounding your remarks about the Executive Chairman of Abak Local Government Area, and I have one simple question for you: Why should an elected council chairman be expected to abandon her official responsibilities just because you are in town for a political an imposed selfish rally?
‘‘What exactly is the offence if the chairman was attending to official duties alongside Governor Umo Eno, the very governor under whose political mandate she serves? Should she have abandoned the governor and her official assignment simply because Ekperikpe Ekpo had arrived in Abak federal constituency?’’
According to him, ‘‘Minister, with all due respect, your appointment does not make you the governor of Abak, nor does it turn an elected council chairman into your pocket as subordinate. You were appointed to serve in the Federal Government, while the chairman was elected by her people to serve at the grassroots. Both offices carry responsibilities, and both deserve respect. Don’t come here to parade yourself what we don’t know.
‘‘If the chairman had a prior official engagement, why should her absence from your so called rally become a matter for public rebuke? Is attending your political gathering now a compulsory duty for every elected official in Abak maybe by extension Akwa Ibom state? Since when did a ministerial appointment become a licence to summon elected representatives at will? Is the council chairman a staff of Esteem school?
‘‘Ekperikpe Ekpo, if you want the people of Abak to appreciate your influence, show them what that influence has delivered. Bring out your scorecard. Tell us the federal projects you have attracted, the roads you have helped to rehabilitate, the opportunities you have created and the benefits ordinary people have received from your years in public service. Not employing children of politicians to come and boast in campaigns you have volunteered employment of 100 persons. Ette, how many children from common families make that list??
‘‘I have seen at least tangible scorecard of the Abak council chairman. I am yet to see a comprehensive, publicly verifiable scorecard from you that answers the questions many constituents have about your contributions to Abak Federal Constituency. Despite your current position as minister of state oil and gas. A very juicy ministry.
‘‘Beyond Esteem School, which is your private business, what major development projects can you point to from your time in the House of Representatives and your subsequent years in federal service? I challenge you to point at least one projects, the locations, the funds committed and the beneficiaries.
‘‘You keep boasting and bragging have 100 volunteer employment opportunities to your credit. That is worth explaining to the public. How were the beneficiaries selected? How many ordinary young people from struggling families made the list? Was the process open to everyone, or did political connections determine who benefited? These are legitimate questions that I put to you and dare you to answer them,’’ he added.
Also in his Facebook page, Ekom E. Ukpeh, penned ‘‘I would like to take a moment to address the recent concerns regarding Hon. Mrs. Ime Charles, the Executive Chairman. As a respected leader and mother, she deserves our utmost respect, especially given her elected position.
‘‘Her absence from the recent youth rally in Etim Ekpo and Ika should not be misconstrued as a lack of support for the APC. It’s important to recognize that she may have had prior commitments or engagements that prevented her attendance.
‘‘Furthermore, the organizers should clarify whether an official invitation was extended to her. As the Executive Chairman, she is accountable to the governor and has her own cabinet and appointed members working alongside her.
‘‘The said event was organized by Etim Ekpo and Ika not for the Abak 3.’’
Ukpeh, youth leader of APC Afaha Obong Ward one noted ‘‘The minister should also know that, if the event was for Abak 3, the executive chairman will have been the host not in Etim Ekpo.
‘‘It’s also worth noting that the Hon. Minister has, at times, been absent from key meetings, including those organized by the Senate President. This highlights the need for understanding and respect for all leaders and their commitments.
‘‘I suggest that the organizers reach out and apologize to the Executive Chairman if there has been any misunderstanding. Hon. Mrs. Ime Charles is a pillar of our community, and it’s vital that we maintain a spirit of cooperation and peace.’’
Moreover, Good luck Essien wrote under the headline: AN APPOINTEE INSULTING AN ELECTED CHAIRPERSON. EKPERIKPE EKPO, WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO INSULT ABAK PEOPLE?
Essien queried ‘‘Dear Minister for State, Petroleum and Gas, Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo. Sir, Ika Local Government which is your own Local Government has been without light for more than 30 years, yet you have done nothing.
‘‘On the day of your appointment as Minister, our hearts were gladdened with hope that at least Abak Federal Constituency would now have gas presence and federal projects across the constituency, but little did we know that your only intention is to use your office to attack and insult the elected Executive Chairperson of Abak LGA, Hon. Lady Ime Charles.’’
‘‘Is Etim Ekpo LGA now the headquarters of Abak Federal Constituency? Was the Chairperson of Abak LGA even invited to the event you held in her constituency? Why are you elders trying so hard to force Clement Jimbo on the people of Abak? Is our LGA Chairperson answerable to you as an appointee? Sir, don’t you know the difference between an elected mandate and an appointed office?
‘‘Sir, that public insult was not just against the Chairperson of Abak, it was an insult to the entire people of Abak LGA who gave her their mandate. You cannot claim to be a leader while disrespecting the choice of the people.’’
He queried ‘‘As a Minister of the Federal Republic, kindly show the people of Abak one single project you have executed in Abak Federal Constituency since your appointment. What have you done for Abak?
‘‘Dear Minister Sir, until you provide answers to these questions, Lady Ime Charles is not answerable to you. Face your unsellable candidate and leave our workaholic LadyBest alone.’’
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