11/07/2024
AN OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY PASTOR UMOH B. ENO EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR AKWA IBOM STATE.
Your Excellency Sir,
A COMPASSIONATE APPEAL FOR IKPANYA CLAN TO PRODUCE THE NEXT CHAIRMAN OF IBIONO IBOM L.G.A
We write to congratulate you on your successful one year in office that had witnessed the distribution of developmental projects across the length and width of Akwa Ibom State and sequel to your readiness in rendering unflinching service to Akwa Ibomites and your abiding faith in a prosperous Akwa Ibom; where every man and woman regardless of ethnicity and religion can be proud and prosperous.
Your Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, with your vast knowledge of Akwa Ibom State prior to your inception, we belief you are aware that Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area has two (2) major clans namely; Ikpanya and Ibiono Clans. Permit us also to state that since the recognition of Ikpanya as one of the major clans in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area in the year 1954 with rich natural resources ranging from crude oil deposits (Petroleum), Palm Oil, Rubber and other agricultural produce.
Your Excellency Sir, we make bold to state that these great potentials are not properly harnessed due to the seeming marginalization and neglect of the clan over the years by successive governments. The deliberate act has further impoverished and relegated the people to the backdoor of history; as people deprived of sense of belonging and hence your urgent intervention.
Sir, we are proud that today we have a Governor who is very accommodating, down to earth and have listening ear. While we believed in very vehement terms that the time to liberate us from the doldrums of under-development and the shackles of poverty that have engulfed us as a people is no other time than now through your very visionary and focused leadership.
Your Excellency Sir, in terms of appointment we are subject to what the then American Military forces that invaded Iraq in 2003 under the command of General Tommy Franks famously described as “Shock and awe” and also what the German Army referred to as “Blitzkrieg” during second world war II.
Sir, permit us to give you an appraisal of political position in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area dated back to 1999. It is obvious that no indigene of Ikpanya has ever occupied either the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary of Council, House of Assembly membership, House of Representatives, or Senatorial positions.
These are political position in Ibiono Ibom Local Government since 1999.
1. 1996 - 1998 – Hon. Marcus Okuku – Ibiono Clan (Chairman)
2. 1999 – 2004 – Hon. Jackson Udofia – Ibiono Clan (Chairman)
3. 2004 – 2007 - Hon. Eyo Utit – Ibiono Clan (Chairman)
4. 2007 – 2015 – Rt. Hon. Godwin Ekpo – Ibiono Clan (Chairman)
5. 2007 – 2015 – Rt. Hon. Ekomabasi Akpan – Ibiono Clan (Chairman)
6. 2017 – 2020 – Hon. Ekopimo Policarp – Ibiono Clan (Chairman)
A similar record goes for the Vice Chairmanship position and Secretary of Council
For House of Assembly
1. 1999 – 2003 – Hon. Idoernyin Umoh – Ibiono Clan
2. 2003 – 2011 – Rt. Hon. Ignatius Edet – Ibiono Clan
3. 2011 – 2019 – Rt. Hon. Ime Okon – Ibiono Clan
4. 2019 – 2023 – Rt. Hon. Godwin Ekpo – Ibiono Clan
5. 2023 – till date- Hon. Moses Essien – Ibiono Clan
A similar record goes for house of Representative and the Senate.It is glaring that Ikpanya Clan has never been involved in any power sharing or ever considered in any political office(s).
Lastly, kindly permit us to handle this golden opportunity with a touching consideration by appreciating your magnanimity and love in the rewarding of contracts for the construction of Ikpanya-Okpoto-Ukpakon road being the first of its kind since the creation of the clan. This will present a sense of belonging thereby strengthening your committed resolve to run an open-door administration where one will not be judge by the colour of his/her skin rather, by the contents of their character.
We humbly call on you to allow Ikpanya Clan to test the office of the chairmanship of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area in the forth coming Local Government elections. This is sequel to your essential sense of honour and the unflinching stand of your government to address marginalization and for the purpose of justice, equity and fairness which will go a long way to balance the political equation of the Local Government Area and give the people of Ikpanya Clan a clear sense of honour and belonging. We believed in your fatherly role, exemplified by your unequivocal, disciplined and uncompromising disposition to translate our lofty dreams into concrete realities.
We consider the utmost understanding of your esteemed regards.
Yours faithfully,
Hon. Ekpenyong Mark
President, Ikpanya Development Union
Comr. Gabriel Emah Secretary Ikpanya Development Union.
Cc:
Barr. Ime Basy Okon
House of Representatives
Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency
Hon. Moses Essien
Member Ibiono Ibom State Constituency
Rt. Hon. (Eld) Aniekan S. Akpan
State Chairman People Democratic Party
Akwa Ibom State.
Barr. Ini Ememobong
Hon. Commissioner for Information Akwa Ibom State.
Hon. Nsikanabasi Ukobot
Chairman, Transition Committee Ibiono Ibom L.G.A
Hon. Aniefiok Iwaudofia S. S. A. to the Governor Grassroot Mobilization Akwa Ibom State
Hon. Ignatius Edet
Senior Special Adviser to Governor Umo Eno
Barr. Godwin Okon International President Ibiono Ibom Welfare and Dev. Union (IWADU).
Chief Israel Utit
Political Leader
Ibiono Ibom East
Dr. Ini Essien
Chairman Ibom Air
Mr. Borono Bassey P.D.P Publicity Secretary
Akwa Ibom State
