Plot To Install Frank Archibong As Eket Chairman Thickens, Despite Public Denials By Governor Udom Emmanuel

Ifiok Okon

In what may seem to be a plot to install Frank Archibong, the Transition committee Chairman of Eket, as the substantive Chairman of the local government, highly placed sources who confided in our Reporter, said Udom Emmanuel, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, has allegedly given a marching order to PDP stakeholders to deliver Frank Archibong.

We gathered that, the Governor was quoted as saying, “Its either Frank as Chairman or no one.”

The Governor’s insistence on having Frank Archibong, is because of Prince Akpabio, a cousin to former Governor Godswill Akpabio, who we learnt, is Frank’s political benefactor.

Prince Akpabio was said to have introduced Frank Archibong to Akpabio’s wife, where Unoma Akpabio thereafter, presented Frank to Udom’s wife, as someone she also wants as Eket Chairman.

We further gathered that, Frank’s chairmanship ambition has been used as a bet for Udom’s second term, as the Akpabio’s have told him to either deliver Frank Archibong as Chairman, in exchange of their support for Udom in 2019, or forgo his second term.

The insistence on Frank Archibong being the substantive Chairman, is not unconnected to alleged payment of part of the council fund to Prince Akpabio on monthly basis by Frank.

Although the exact figure could not be ascertained, reliable sources say it runs into millions of Naira.

Udom Emmanuel has publicly declared that he is not willing to influence any office in the forthcoming local government polls, and has also advised Aspirants to go and work to emerge, but pundits have said, it is a mere political statement, as those already favoured by the Governor have been mapped out.

Speaking with some indigenes in the local government, on the issue, some have queried the continuous grip by the Annangs on the local government, more than two years after Akpabio left office, and having installed Frank Archibong as transition chairman for two and a half years, yet they have vowed to still make him the substantive Chairman for another three years, which will run to five and half years.

There are anxieties in Eket, as the election draws near, as the Elders in the area have been alleged to have received cash in exchange of support for Frank.

Why should Prince give us a chairman? We should elect our own chairman, and not someone from Annang imposing anyone on the ekid people, an indigene of the area queried.

As at the time of this report, Frank Archibong could not be reached, as Prince Akpabio’s phone was not connecting.