Eneh John
Ahead of the local government elections in Akwa Ibom State, which is scheduled for December 2,2017, the Akwa Ibom State Electoral Commission Chairman, Aniedi Ikoiwak, yesterday dropped a bomb shell, in the presence of Peoples Democratic Party stakeholders in Eket Central ward four, at a meeting which was convened at his instance.
The meeting, Trail Reporters gathered, took place at 30 Ikot ukpo street, off court Road, Eket, which is said to be the residence of Engineer Thompson Usungedo and kicked off at 4:44pm when Ikoiwak arrived.
Information at our news desk, shows that, the cousin to the AKISIEC Chairman, Godwin Thompson Idimis, is contesting as a Councilor in the ward, and banking on his brother’s support to emerge, when other aspirants are said to be in the field working.
Sources at the meeting said, while addressing the stakeholders, Aniedi Ikoiwak, said, that they should make sure his brother emerges as the PDP candidate in the ward, and failure to emerge, he has the power to rescreen candidates and decide who is good or not. The AKISIEC chairman was also quoted as saying, if his brother, Godwin Thompson does not emerge, he will declare the opposition winner, because, he will be in charge of declaring winners for the 329 wards in the state.
The AKISIEC Chairman we also gathered, had nominated his sister, Mabel, into the current transition committee, where she is serving as a member, despite being married out.
Ikoiwak also said, he has given jobs to the people of Eket Central ward four, when he was reminded of his alleged self centeredness. Stakeholders at the meeting urged him to take his brother, Godwin and give him a job at AKISIEC, instead of coming to struggle a councillorship position.
It was alleged that, Aniedi Ikoiwak handed two hundred and fifty thousand Naira to the youths, and said, “I know you people are hungry.”
Further findings reveals that, the meeting ended in rowdiness, as those present walked away, due to his alleged compromised stance.
Trail Reporters sources say, the ward have told him that primary elections will be conducted, for the popular candidate to emerge, which did not go down well with the AKISIEC Chairman.
As at the time of this report, calls placed to the AKISIEC Chairman were unanswered.
Present at the meeting were, the former Commissioner & Governorship Aspirant Hon. Ita Umo Udo, PDP Chapter Chairman, Obongiwaad Emman Mbong, former Chapter Chairman, Evan. Godwin David, former House Member, Rt. Hon. Chief Jack Udota, Wema Bank manager/ RCCG regional Pst., Pst Godwin Ukwat, Chapter Secretary, Mr. Godian Udoh, Former Vice Chairman, Hon. Ekanem Willie, Transition Member, Mabel Ikoiwak, Engineer Thompson Usungedo, and other stakeholders and members of the ward cutting across five villages.
