Our reporter
As the battle over the political leadership of Mkpat Enin in Akwa Ibom State rages, wife of Richard Umoren, pioneer elected Chairman of the area, has cleared the air, confirming ‘‘My husband is still the political leader of Mkpat Enin.’’
On Saturday, August 19, some political leaders from the area together with some helmsmen of ex-Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel gathered and enthroned Professor Eno Ibanga as the political leader of the area.
Ibanga was the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service for Emmanuel and is the current Commissioner for Works and Fire Service for Governor Umo Eno.
Speaking with Straightnews reporter on telephone on Saturday, August 26, Dr (Mrs) Umoren said ‘’You know the antecedents of Chief Umoren. Everybody knows what Chief stood for and what he did when he was strong. When people get older, they lose the power they used to have, but it is okay. Nothing is really wrong except that he is not as strong as he used to be.
‘‘For Mkpat Enin people and the Senator, they know the Chief and are on his side. Nobody can do that, it would be very wrong to do so. Since Chief is there, and he is still very much interested in Mkpat Enin and has been asking what is going on and he feels that Mkpat Enin should be one of best local government areas.’’
On the suggestion by many that Chief should be allowed to be buried as the Mkpat Enin political leader, she responded ‘‘Of course. It will be very bad if something else happens. He is still the leader. He will be the leader until when God calls him back home.’’
On the allegation that some politicians try to bury him alive by declaring a parallel leader, Roseline responded ‘‘They will not succeed. The good people of Mkpat Enin will stand by Chief Richard Umoren. I know how much they respect him and value what he did for the local government area.
‘‘He laid a strong foundation for it and it will be improper to do that. I know it cannot happen. I know the Senator since he is highest political office holder in the area, he still respects Chief. He will stand by him and I know he cannot leave him.’’
Straightnews gathered from close political stalwarts in the area that many political heavyweights in the area boycotted the event seen as ‘‘supplanting and aberration’’ because Chief Umoren is still alive.
The online newspaper also learnt that though Pastor Eno, son-in-law of Mkpat Enin who was in the state that day did not attend the event, neither did his wife, Patience, an indigene of the area honoured the purported invitation.
Apart, our reporter understood that since the governor was said to have quietly distanced himself from what many saw as ‘‘charade,’’ he did not mandate the Deputy Governor to represent him at the occasion.
Chief Umoren hails from Asong while Prof Eno is an indigene of Ikot Udo Idem both from Ukpum Minya Clan as the late Dennis S. Udoinyang who was from the same clan had served as the political leader of the area.
