Election Re-run: Akpabio, APC chieftains shun peace summon by Essien Udim Royal fathers
Grace Udoh Uyo ..
Leaders and Stakeholders of the APC led by Senator Godswill Akpabio and other candidates in Saturday’s rerun election, Monday openly expressed disdain to the traditional institution in Essien Udim by rejecting the peace summit convened in the area.
That notwhitstanding, the traditional institution in the area have vowed that anyone involved in instigating crises in the area, shall be jinxed by the traditional injunction invoked ahead of the elections.
The Paramount Ruler and Head of Essien Udim Traditional Rulers Council, Obong Cosmas Akpan, had on Monday invited stakeholders in the electoral process from both PDP and APC to a peace talk at his palace in Ekpenyong Atai 1 ahead of the rerun, but while stakeholders of the PDP honoured the monarch’s invitation, those of the APC allegedly boycotted the peace parley, without registering any apology.
The APC stakeholders in area had in 2019 rebuffed all summits for peaceful elections in the area by royal fathers last year, which led to the display of the election violence and Warsaw induced crises that left scores of electoral officials and voters in pains and tears culminating in the cancellation of election in the area by the Court of Appeal.
However, their absence couldn’t stall the meeting on Monday, as the peace deal was attended by several PDP stakeholders, an act indicative of their desire for a peaceful exercise this Saturday.
The Royal Head of the area, Obong Cosmas Akpan, assisted by members of the Traditional Rulers Council, during the peace talk placed the traditional injunction ‘àyei’, handing same to the PDP stakeholders in attendance, and calling for peace in the land.
The implication of any party fomenting trouble or sponsoring violence during, before and after the election would be disastrous to any one who would violate the injunction which is already binding irrespective of who attended the meeting or not.
It has been alleged that the decision by the APC to boycott the peace talk is not unconnected with the party’s penchant for anything ‘War-Saw, a script they acted in Essien Udim during the 2019 election.
However, youths of Essien Udim have vowed to resist such violence this time around, should they foment trouble on Saturday.
Youth Caucus Leader in Essien Udim, Mr. Edemekong Aniefiok Christopher and the PDP Youth Chairman, Mr. Raymond Ekpe warned members of the opposition against any attempt to cause violence and thuggery in Essien Udim, as they would meet stiff resistance by the youths.
The Youth Caucus Chairman, Mr. Edemekong on Monday alerted the public of alleged plans by the APC to import thugs into Essien Udim, saying vigilant youths of the area were ready to frustrate their enterprise.
High point of the event was that solemn moment when the Leader of the Traditional Council issued a Traditional Peace Injunction with the presentation of the symbol of peace known as ‘àjei’ through the Political Leader of the area, Akparawa Obong M.A Afangide to the PDP family, for everlasting peace in the area before, during and after the rerun election.
Others present at the meeting were Executive Chairman of Council; Elder Raphael Isobara, Deputy State Chairman of PDP; Sir Sunyiekekere Inokon, Senatorial Candidate of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Engr Chris Ekpenyong, PDP candidate for Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim and Obot Akara Federal Constituency Rt Hon Nsikak Ekong, Vice Chairman of the Council; Mrs Emem Ekarika, Members of the Legislative Council and Supervisory Councillors led by the Leader; Hon Uduakobong Umoh, Chapter Chairman of PDP and other Chapter and Ward Officers, Former Executive Council Chairman; Hon Martin Umanah, Engr Oliver Ebong, Dr Etido Ibekwe, Sir Lambert Udoh, Sir Lambert Orok, Barr Imowo Okpokpo, Hon Emmanuel Useh and other stakeholders of the Party.