...as Ikpa Ikono Clan Youths carpet ex-commissioner over 'backdoor senate endorsement'.

The 2023 senate ambition of Ephraim Inyang-eyen has received a dead knell in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area as the people of the area have come out to openly reject the former Works Commissioner over his 'call to lawlessness ambition', describing the sacked Chief of Staff to the Governor as a 'conscienceless ingrate'.

In a Press Release signed by the National Coordinator of Mkpat Enin Unity Network, Dr Akpabio Akpabio, Chapter Coordinator, Hon. Joe Akpan, General Secretary, Barr. Ebeute Ebeute and Director Public Affairs, Hon. Mbat Udoinyang, the group frowned at Mr Inyang-eyen's desperation for power.

The statement read in parts:

"Ephraim Inyang is insulting Mkpat Enin people and indeed, Akwa Ibom South people by struggling the Senate seat with Mkpat Enin out of his sheer greed and sense of ingratitude. Mkpat Enin is the vote basket of PDP and has for decades, put in so much for the Akwa Ibom Project. We do not deserve this kind of insult from the likes of Ephraim Inyang and his sponsored clowns. Indeed, Ephraim is acting like a conscienceless ingrate, lawless opportunist and power desperado by attacking the well-established Senate zoning arrangement in Akwa Ibom South.

It should be noted that the Senate seat in Eket Senatorial District has been zoned to Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency and Mkpat Enin Local Government Area in particular. Ephraim Inyang-eyen is from Onna Local Government Area in Eket Federal Constituency who had already taken their turns in the Senate. Ephraim Inyang-eyen was in the meetings that the decision was taken that after all the three federal constituencies in Akwa Ibom South had taken their turns in the Senate, the baton should return to Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency where it began.

According to the Release, Ephraim Inyang-eyen, after decamping to his new party, has been running from pillar to post seeking 'malaria-induced endorsement for Senate by Mkpat Enin people.'

The statement reaffirmed the position of Mkpat Enin people and that of the entire Akwa Ibom South, saying they were solidly behind the candidacy of Dr. Ekong Sampson.

"Mkpat Enin people are solidly behind the candidacy of Barr. Ekong Sampson, noting that it was appropriate for the rotation of the Senate seat which started from Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency and later moved to Eket and then to Oron Federal constituencies, to come back to Ikot Abasi Federal constituency – specifically to Mkpat Enin. Even other political parties have brought out their senatorial candidates from Mkpat Enin out of the zoning arrangement. But Ephraim Inyang will not hear of this, typical of a lawless behavior.

"Mkpat Enin people wonder what Mr. Inyang-eyen would be remembered for, when he adamantly said that some major roads in Mkpat Enin have no economic value and refused to push for their construction in the area during his tenure as Commissioner for Works. No indigene of Mkpat Enin can point to any meaningful empowerment from him.

"Mkpat Enin local government area has a mature political culture and knows how to appreciate leaders unlike Ephraim Inyang-eyen whose lifestyle is characterized by a sense of ingratitude exemplified in his rudeness and insult which he has constantly meted out to the State Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, a man who gave him a life-turning podium to climb and stand on. And we ask, like others, why is Ephraim Inyang telling lies and trying to incite the public against Governor Udom Emmanuel, who helped him? Is this not the same way Ephraim Inyang wants to payback Akwa Ibom South people, given the fact that an ingrate has no conscience and can easily bite the finger that fed him?" the statement questioned, rhetorically.

Mkpat Enin people reechoed their unwavering support for Governor Udom Emmanuel and Completion Agenda and Succession Plan, saying they were going to vote for their proud in-law, Pastor Umo Eno and all the PDP candidates.

"People who are supporting Dr. Ekong Sampson and Mkpat Enin are people with conscience and respect for law and order. They respect the benefits of zoning. They also appreciate that Ekong Sampson worked in the Senate before he became Local Government Chairman, House of Assembly Member and Commissioner. These people respect Mkpat Enin as a Local Government Area. They respect zoning, experience, capacity and character which favour Ekong Sampson for Senate.

"No amount of blackmail, sponsored twisted propaganda, attempts to divert and curry public sympathy and sheer lawlessness, can make Ephraim Inyang usurp the turn of Mkpat Enin for Senate. For purpose of emphasis, Mkpat Enin stands like the rock of Gibraltar behind Gov. Udom Emmanuel and will support him to the end of his administration and to produce his successor, Pastor Umo Eno who is proudly married to our great daughter, Pastor (Mrs) Umo Eno. Enough is enough.

In another related development, the Supreme Youth Council of Ikpa Ikono Clan in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, has released a statement to refute the purported 'endorsement of Ephraim Inyang-eyen by Ikpa Ikono people'.

It reads: "the attention of the Supreme Youth Council of Ikpa Ikono Clan, Mkpat Enin Local Government has been drawn to a publication in sections of the media purporting the endorsement of Mr. Ephraim Inyang-eyen for senate by the clan. The publication is hogwash, untrue and only a figment of the imagination of the purveyors and their paymasters. A total heist by dregs to swindle 'amateurish' politicians like Mr. Inyangeyen and give him false hope.

"As a high ranking youth body in the area, we wish to put record straight and state categorically that Ikpa Ikono Clan has not and will never endorse Mr. Inyangeyen for senate, as the former Works Commissioner has not done anything to merit our support.

"As a matter of fact, we had received a tip-off weeks ago, that Mr. Ephraim Inyang, acting through an estranged junior civil servant and serial blackmailer, one Sunday Ime Paul alongside a few dregs in the area, was going about sharing a list he christened, 'Empowerment List' to all the villages in Ikpa Ikono Clan. Lied to on the guise that it was an actual 'Empowerment List', the gullible rural dwellers were asked to write their names, signatures and phone numbers. Mr. Sunday Ime Paul and his cronies then collated the lists and presented to Mr. Inyangeyen as 'Endorsement by Ikpa lkono People'. It is shameful how Mr. Inyang-eyen will employ graft and phony ponzi styled 'empowerment list' to seek cheap endorsement, where he clearly has none."

The youths body slammed Mr. Inyangeyen and his cohorts for thinking that Ikpa Ikono will leave their illustrious son, Rt Hon.(Barr.) Ekong Sampson (Adaiso Ikpa Ikono) to give him even a sphincter of vote.

The release described Barr. Ekong Sampson as their beacon of light saying that Ekong Sampson for Senate is already a done deal.

"As a matter of fact, Ekong Sampson for Senate is already a done deal, not only in Ikpa Ikono Clan but the entire Eket Senatorial District. The entire Ikpa Ikono Clan is fully with the Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin. Our support is unflinching.

"Ekong Sampson is our beacon of light - a man who has done so much for Ikpa Ikono Clan. The Asan Iffe(Clan Center) that Inyangeyen used for his rancorous campaign the other time, was built by Dr. Ekong Sampson. Mr. Inyang-eyen, who has amassed so much wealth by sucking the common patrimony of our state, over bloated contracts and surcharging property owners should point to one person he has ever helped or empowered in Ikpa Ikono clan. He should wither away with his emergency love and philanthropy for Ikpa Ikono clan now, because elections are here", the statement stated emphatically.

By Michael Udo