By Kenneth Jude
Village Heads of Eket Senatorial district have vowed not to allow negative covenant to be eatablished in the state.
The monarchs who gathered at Eket Council Secretariat under the umbrella of Forum of Village Heads on Thursday, said they’ll ensure that the zoning arrangement of the governorship seat is not altered.
Eket Traditional Rulers
Speaking at the occasion, the Paramount Ruler of Onna local government area, Obong Raymond Thompson Inyang, edged the Royal Fathers not to allow themselves to be misled or deceived into endorsing another governorship aspirant other than Udom Emmanuel. He reminded them of the pledge they had earlier made, urging them to stand by it.
“Don’t allow anybody to confuse you. Stand by the vow you have made,” he said.
President of the forum, Etteidung Monday Etian Ekaebe, while thanking Governor Emmanuel for taking the welfare of Village Heads seriously, appealed for more, especially the increment of their salary.
The Ahta Oro VII, and Paramount Ruler of Mbo LGA, His Royal Majesty, Ovong Etim Edet Isemin, urged the Village Heads to keep to the ideals of the traditional institution and remain committed to Governor Udom Emmanuel’s project.
On his part, a former commissioner in the state, Sir Adasi Obolum, urged the Village Heads to uphold the virtues of equity, honesty and fair play in the traditional institution. He noted that at no point should such virtues be lacking among them.
Hon. Obolum, said that whatever negative decisions are taken today does not only affect them, but the future generations. He called on them to be wise and ensure that the second term aspiration of Governor Emmanuel is realised.
According to him, “Let us learn from the past. We must be wise so that what killed our father may not kill us. We must not allow negative covenant to be established in Eket Senatorial district. It is an established fact that all Senatorial districts have served two terms. Why should Eket be different? Do not remove the ancient landmark. God is a God of justice, equity and fair play. We will never allow an outsider cry more than the bereaved,” he said.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of Eket local government area, Hon. Frank Archibong, noted that Udom’s reelection does not really need much preachment, adding that it’s just that some people are deliberately refusing to acknowlede the strides recorded by the governor in more than three years in office.
Describing the endorsement of the governor as symbolic and representative of the overwhelming support for the governor across the state, the Council Boss stated that the traditional institution is the baseline where most of the units are located. He urged the monarchs to take the responsibility entrusted to them seriously. According to him, “We’ll be doing ourselves injustice and disservice if we do anything negative against the reelection of Gov. Udom Emmanuel.”
In what was described as a sober moment, a minute silence was observed in honour of those who lost their lives in the recent past through election violence as directed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Udo Ekpenyong.
Ekpenyong who represented Governor Emmanuel, assured the monarchs that the governor is interested in their welfare, adding that he’ll always treat issues concerning them with all the attention it deserves.
He urged them to remain steadfast in their support for the governor for a more prosperous and peaceful state.
