Opinion: Chris Ekpeyong's diatribe against Valerie Ebe

By Josephine Ekpenyong

"The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously."
- Hubert H. Humphrey, US Politician (1911-1978)

Historical fossils reveal that every society has always accepted that there are natural orders of things. Down the ages, it is widely accepted that there are certain sequences that things must take for society to run smoothly. One of such accepted orders is that age confers wisdom, temperance and stability, both in speech, tastes and actions.

In Africa, the elders and the elderly are distinguished, honoured, set aside and respected for the sanity and restraint they bring to bear on the actions of the younger breeds in the society. This respect for the elderly stems from the believe that the endowment of the elderly is borne out of several years of experience, which enables them to sift the chaff from the grain of human activities. Little wonder why the words and counsel of the elders become real nuggets for the young and the society, as they oftentimes become the talisman that guides against avoidable errors and mistakes in the society. What the elders think or say in Africa can equate with the law.

Elders are often noted for restraint in their statements and actions because experience should have tutored them on the disastrous effects and outcomes of reckless words and deeds. In Nigeria, knowledge, positions and exposure equally confer on individuals, the status of elders because as the saying here goes, ‘if a child washes his hands clean, he dines with kings and elders.’ So, the not-very-elderly, who have been privileged to be placed at pedestals of leadership and opinion molding, are equally expected to be restrained in their actions and words, principally because, like the elderly, they have many forming and impressionable minds that look up to them.

It is, therefore deeply regrettable that not all elders have lived up to this time tested tag. One of the them is His Excellency, Obong (Dr.) Chris Ekpeyong, former Deputy Governor, Akwa Ibom State.

Recently, at an enlarged meeting of both former and present elective legislators and executives organized by Senator Effiong Bob, the former Deputy Governor in the most crude and raw fashion, threw jabs below the belt on the personage and office of Noble Lady Valerie Ebe which was published on the Monday 27th January 2014 edition of Peace Letters newspaper. He said among other things that the current Deputy Governor only runs around the State reading condolence messages and attending marriage ceremonies without contributing meaningful policies that could better lives in the state.

Engr. Ekpenyong resorted to self praise, "I was the Executive Deputy Governor whose recommendations were always approved by the governor that is how I recommended Senator Effiong Bob to the Governor as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and he appended his signature as recommended by me the Deputy Governor despite the fact that it was zoned to Ikot Ekpene. Not today's Deputy Governor who goes round reading condolence messages at burials and attending traditional marriages and children dedication or marriage thanksgiving."

As an ordinary citizen, I would have ignored Chris Ekpenyong's careless and not well-chewed statements as the ranting of a frustrated and drowning politician who was forced out of office because of his self aggrandizement, but considering the weight of the place he occupies in society, the fact he occupied the same office, and the tendency for our younger generation to be misguided by his verbal missiles, I wish to set matters right. His vituperation is most disappointing and condemnable to say the least.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended provides in Section 186 that "There shall be for each State of the Federation a Deputy Governor." As Dr Ekpeyong may be aware, the Constitution does not enumerate specific roles and functions for the office of the Deputy Governor. In Akwa Ibom State, the Office of the Deputy Governor is saddled with the following lawful and delegated functions:
1. Stands in for the state Governor where and when required.
2. Presides at the Executive Council Meetings in the absence of the Governor.
3. Vice Chairman, State Security Council.
4. Advises the Governor generally in the discharge of executive functions.

The office also has specific functions to perform which are;
1. Mediates in intra and inter-state relations including boundary matters and development of border regions.
2. Is in charge of State Emergencies and Liaison with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
3. Chairs both the State Committee on Cocoa and the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Power.
From my findings, these are the responsibilities of the office and it is public knowledge.

Is Engr Chris Ekpeyong aware that since Noble Lady Valerie Ebe's assumption of office in November 2012, records available confirm that there were unresolved boundary matters right from when he (Ekpenyong) occupied that same office? Out of these, many have been resolved to a logical conclusion with relative peace restored.

Engr Ekpeyong knows or at least ought to know that the Office of the Deputy Governor has done an excellent job in Emergency and Disaster Management with incessant reports of flood, fire outbreak, ocean surge, windstorms and landslide. Isn't he in the know that a large number of disaster victims have been provided with relief materials? Or that the Deputy Governor's Office hosted the House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management during their oversight visit to the state? His angry taunts on the Deputy Governor, a Lady for that matter is misleading, irrational and fallacious.

It is the incumbent Deputy Governor who has resuscitated cocoa farming in Akwa Ibom State which has been suspended for over 5 years and which had gone moribund in Ekpeyong's time. Most importantly, cocoa farmers in the state have received cocoa seedlings as well as Agro-chemicals for improved cocoa production.

I know Engr Chris Ekpeyong has the penchant to bite more than he can chew, operate beyond his limits and rub shoulders with his boss. We have not forgotten how he was impeached but later granted soft landing by way of resignation because of his overbearing tendencies. In order words, he was impeached. It took the intervention of the party hierarchy that came to his rescue by reverting it to resignation. Chris Ekpeyong has no moral authority to advise anyone on how to be a Deputy Governor, no, not in this our Akwa Ibom State. I recall the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee was under the Deputy Governor's Office but it was characterized by projects abandonment and shady deals which resulted in the committee being removed from the Deputy Governor’s office to the Finance ministry. Wasn't Engr Ekpeyong Chairman of Finance and General Purpose Committee, FGPC in his time and was his office not in incharge of the purchase of official vehicles? What happened? Does he honestly want us to revisit these cases we have pushed aside for our good? Chris utterly destroyed and abused that office. Is that what he means by making the office functional?

On a live TV show on NTA (One-on-One), his former boss, Obong Victor Attah said unequivocally that he didn't want to run with Ekpenyong for a 2nd term because of his attitude. He (Ekpeyong) simply doesnt understand what it means to be a team player. In Ibibio Jurisprudence, " akiko iba isi kpoke ke okom kiet" (Two cocks cannot crow on the same roof). Is he expecting the Deputy Governor to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with her boss just like he did and end up like him? I understand Chris Ekpeyong's condition, he is in a haste to stoke and provoke anger and distrust, and become relevant in the scheme of things, but to chose the exaulted office of the Deputy Governor (an office he once occupied) to unabashedly ridicule is most unfortunate.  In any case, what is wrong in attending burial and marriage ceremonies? Isn't this a govenment of the people that shares in the hopes, aspirations and everyday activities of the people?

The present occupant of that office is a great woman of rich history and
antecedents, the first female Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State since its creation in 1987. She has deep experience in the Akwa Ibom project having served in various capacities and has brought her wealth of experience in working both at home and abroad which has assisted His Excellency in directing the affairs of the state. She represents the strength and abilities of the Akwa Ibom woman. She has displayed unusual strength in balancing her acts as a mother and a politician in the last years as she weathered the storms of time, which she has had her fair share, to be where she is today. She has shown zeal and have remained undaunted in her quest to see the Akwa Ibom woman stand in her rightful place in the scheme of things, bracing the odds of betrayal, marginalization, envy and hatred that is commonplace with politics to stand shoulder high above every evil imagination to crown the Akwa Ibom woman with honour and dignity.

Chauvinists and relegated politicians like Chris Ekpeyong who are not comfortable with the progressive role of women in public service should seek other avenues to poke for relevance.

Josephine Ekpenyong wrote from Nto Edino, Obot Akara LGA

Faces at the marriage ceremonies of Engr. Uwem Udoka (KEU) and Eduek Richard

On Saturday 11th January, Engr. Uwem Udoka (CEO of KEU Engineering services) was joined together in holy matrimony of wedlock to former miss Eduek Richard at the Victory Cathederal, Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo. The wedding was overseen by Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai.

A reception party put together by the couple later at the Civil Service Auditorium, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, Uyo had in attendance some eminent personalities from the business class to the political cycle. The occasion was Governed by the member representing Eket Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Dan Abia Jnr., while the leader of Akwa ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Okpolumph Etteh was special guest of honour.  Raphael Edem was the master of ceremonies.

The traditional marriage was held two days earlier at F-Line Park, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo and had in attendance, the honorable commissioner for finance, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan, the commissioner for special duties, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem and others. Pastor Charis Essienobong of the Restoration Grace Assembly was chairman on the occasion. 

Here are some memories from both events…

Credits: Digital Suite & Vintage Studios

INEC set dates for 2015 general elections

Elections to hold in Ekiti and Osun in June and August 2014...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the timetable for the 2015 general elections in the night of January 24, 2014, Friday.

The Commission also announced the timetable for the conduct of the governorship election in both Ekiti and Osun States. Both states have early elections.

In a three-paragraph statement INEC revealed that the presidential and National Assembly elections would come first. Nigerians will elect the President, as well as the members of the national legislature , on February 14, 2015.

Elections for governors, as well as members of the 36 state houses of assembly, are scheduled for February 28, 2015.

The Ekiti State governorship election is to hold on June 21, 2014 while that of Osun State will hold on August 9, 2014.

It would be noted that INEC faces a major test and unprecedented challenge in conducting next year's general elections.

The recent upheavals in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, as well as a dramatic rise in the rhetoric of supporters and opponents of President Goodluck Jonathan, have provoked speculations that a rigged election could precipitate a level of post-poll violence that has not been witnessed in Nigeria in a long time.

SEE the photocopy of the document by INEC below: