A Socio-political organisation in Akwa Ibom State, Etoi Equity Alliance For Pastor Umo Eno, has appealed to the governor–elect, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, to consider appointing indigenes of Etoi clan, in Uyo Council of the state, into the State Executive Council (SEC).
A statement signed by its Chairman, Nsikak S. Udoh and Secretary General, Saviour Eyo, reads: “Your Excellency, you have categorically made known your desire to advance the policy of equitable distribution of wealth among various and diverse segments of the state. Etoi clan still lags behind in the entire political equation of Uyo Council, in particular, and the state, in general, in terms of elective and appointive positions, given its status as a strategic component of the state capital.
“To this end, we unanimously appeal to you to use your office to create an indelible history by appointing an indigene of Etoi as a commissioner to correct the protracted imbalance in the soon to be constituted SEC. This will assuage aggrieved feelings, agony and depression of marginalised and neglected people of the clan.”
In a related development, another group, Etoi Progressive League (EPL), has refuted a publication on social media platforms by a sister clan, Ikono, accusing Etoi of being “a more favoured clan in terms of elective positions and appointments by the outgoing administration, as well as preceding ones in the state.”
A statement signed by its President, Inibong Akpan, and Secretary, Ignatius Ekpo, reads: “As a progressive, patriotic and proactive socio-political organisation, we do not want to join issues with Ikono. ”
We want to categorically state that since the creation of Akwa Ibom in 1987, even when we were in Cross River State, no Etoi indigene has been appointed commissioner by any administration. Only two clans, Offot and Oku, have benefitted from such appointments.”
The groups, therefore, appealed to the governor-elect to heed their plea.
