Leave Benji Udobia Alone, Esit Eket not Boiling - Youths warn political jobbers

Youths of Esit Eket Local Government Area under the aegis of Esit Eket Consultative Youth Assembly have risen in support of their revered political leader, Elder Benjamin Udobia citing his uncommon qualities of selfless service in leadership and unbiased headship. This was contained in a letter dated 2nd April 2016, addressed to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State and made available to the media.

The youths said it became necessary for the forum to reinforce their endorsement of Elder Udobia following an attempt by an out-of-favour group of Esit Eket indigenes seeking to criticize his leadership through a petition described by the Esit Eket youths as a “publication by dissident youths”. The publication had sought to insinuate that Elder Udobia was showing political favours to members of his family attempting to cast aspersion on the statesman’s reputation.

But dismissing the petition as a handiwork of dissident youths sponsored by self-seeking mischief making political bigots, the Esit Eket Consultative Youth Assembly stated; “Elder Udobia has been very fair, equitable and just in recommending distribution of political offices in the Local Government.” The group reeled out names of some of the petitioners who have politically benefitted immensely politically under the leadership of Elder Udobia thus, “it will interest you to know that some of the petitioners are either still in government or have enjoyed a term or two in government. For instance, Mr. Edohouqua, Godwin Paul is a supervisor in the present Esit Eket Transition Committee. Again, Hon. Aniefiok Akpadiaha has been a councilor who represented Ward 5 in Esit Eket Local Government Council. Shortly after his tenure, the said Hon. Aniefiok Akpadiaha was re-appointed as the supervisor for environment during the immediate past administration in Esit Eket (2012-2015).”

They further stated that, “the immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio, donated a brand new bus to Mr. Godwin M. Peter. The said Mr. Godwin M. Peter was a delegate during the last general elections. Interestingly,none of the above mentioned is a member Elder Udobia’s family.”

The agitated youths said that, “We have to make the above revelations because the petitioners have alleged that the political Leader is sentimental in his leadership and that they (the petitioners) have been excluded from the activities of the party.”

The assembly seized the opportunity to commend Elder Udobia for the good fortunes that he has brought to the area since his ascension to leadership, maintaining that under his watch as deputy director general of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s campaign organization, Esit Eket gave 100% of their votes to PDP; and even when results were cancelled in some other Local Government Areas by the Elections petition tribunal, Esit Eket was not affected.

The letter, signed by 10 leaders of the assembly, expressed appreciation for the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel and went further to articulate their satisfaction in the political leadership of Elder Ben Udobia.