The Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong has explained why he is toeing a different line with his father concerning the zoning of 2023 governorship slot in Akwa Ibom State.
Mkpisong Ememobong Essien, his father and one of the founding members of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area has taken a different stance on the decision of Governor Udom Emmanuel to endorse the aspiration of Pastor Umo Bassey Eno from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area in Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency.
Mkpisong Essien at well-attended meeting of elders and stakeholders of Itu Federal Constituency held at the Palace of Ibiono Ibom over the weekend, Okuku Ime Udo Usoro Inyang, the Ibiono Ibom monarch, had preferred that one of the aspirants from the Federal Constituency should be rightly anointed to succeed Udom Emmanuel in 2023.
In a communiqué signed by the attendees, they had argued that it was a misnomer for the governor to singlehandedly handpicked his successor without a holistic consultation across all political divide and interests in Akwa Ibom.
They recalled that picking a successor from the same Etinan Federal Constituency that had produced several civilian and military governors including the late Obong Akpan Isemin, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (late) and Group Captain Sam Ewang (retired) was not in line with equity, justice and fair-play to other geo-political entities in Uyo Senatorial District.
They reasoned that the Itu/Ibiono Ibom that has never tested the governorship slot should be given the nod through the Governor’s blessings to produce the next governor in 2023.
But speaking on Monday, February 7 at a well-attended held at the state NUJ Press Centre, Information Drive, Uyo, his 38-year-old son who doubles as the serving Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Udom Emmanuel’s cabinet explained that he would rather toe the line of his boss- the Governor instead of his father.
According to him, as an adult he has every right to take his independent action and decision without the influence of his father, explaining that it was father’s wish as one of the founding members of Ibiono Ibom to have a governor from the axis to justify his struggle for the creation of the local government area.
He said the Governor has not foreclosed the chances of any person wishing to contest for the position, assuring that the Governor’s doors are open for everyone desiring to rule the state to come for consultation.
The Commissioner said as an appointee of the Governor not an elected representative of Ibiono Ibom, his loyalty lies with his boss who has the kingship anointing.
The Commissioner noted ”I have an excellent relationship with my father, incidentally, my father, Mkpisong Ememobong Essien, is one of the people history records who fought for the state.
”He is one of those people at the level of Akwa Ima Isong Ibibio alongside others who helped facilitate the signing of the charter by the Paramount Rulers which eventually gave us the state. No one of age will claim that he didn’t know the role Mkpisong Ememobong played in the berthing of the state.
”I have great respect for my biological father. So for people to attempt by bringing politics in between us will not work. Mkpisong holds the title of Obong Emem Ibiono Ibom.
”Incidentally, he was the President-General of Ibiono Ibom Welfare and Development Union at the time of the creation of Ibiono Ibom and if you ask anyone of age in Ibiono Ibom, he should be able to tell you the role Mkpisong played in the creation of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.
”Now because his son is Commissioner for Information, does that negate the fact that Mkpisong, a man who recently celebrated 80 years and I am merely 38 heading to 39 that my present status at the State Executive Council should deny him the capacity to demand for what he thinks is right?
”It is not, I have an independent thought, I will make my thoughts bare, and so I do not have quarrels with my father’s disposition. So for a man who is 80 years who desires like many people in Ibiono to see a governor come from there, it is not a crime, he cannot be vilified for taking that position and what did he say, he is simply saying that is his desire but that the demand should be peaceful. So now the question should rather be, what is my position?
”So I am the man in the center of the battle, a man on whose decision must determine not just who I stand, but where many other people will stand,’’ he added.
