By IDONGESIT ASHAMERI, Uyo

Amidst the ever increasing rate of Covid-19 infection in Akwa Ibom State, constituents of various Local Government Areas in the state have alerted the media and the public of an alleged plot by some Council Chairmen to administer traditional Oaths to delegates.

The alleged desperation may not be unconnected with the recent official announcement by the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission, Elder Ikoiwak that the Local

Government Elections will hold in the state by December, signalling officially the beginning of the end of the present crop of council political leaders.

Investigations by our correspondent revealed that not less than 20, of the 31 LG chairmen had already defiled the Covid-19 situation to consult and strategize for another term in office.

Among such chairmen according to our source who would prefer anonymity include the Chairmen of

Uyo, Urueffong –Oruko, Mbo, Eket, Okobo, Ini, Ikono,Uruan, Nsit Atai, Nsit Ibom, Ibeno, Abak,

However, another set of hopefuls among the Chairmen our source alleged; “are plotting to administer Traditional Oaths, locally known as (Mbiam) to prospective Delegates and statutory delegates ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party elections expected by around August or September of 2020”.

Investigations in some Local Government Arears indicate that major re-alignments are going on to enable the Chairmen of councils achieve their goal.

To authenticate his claims, a source who shared a group’s WhatsApp chat with DAILY INDEPENDENT Correspondent narrated:

“In Eket Local Government, a major quarrel broke out on a popular whatsapp group, where members of the forum accused the leading lights of the council of administering satanic and traditional oaths on innocent and vulnerable members of the party who were delegates at the last local Local Government and House of Assemblies primaries.

“Check the chat, our people accused the current House member and Local Government Chairman of plotting another round of devilish traditional oaths administration on the innocent hapless members and statutory delehates.

“The current Chairman of Council Mr. Fank Archibong who was two term Transition chairman and elected chairman who also doubles as the ALGON Chairman of the state has also realign with the current House of Assembly, Mr. David Lawrence and a former House of Assembly Aspirant , Mr. Nsidibe Akata.

“The plot is Lawrence and Akata to support the current Council Chairman for second term while

Frank will in turn support Lawrence for House of Representative and Akata House of Assembly respectively, a plot which will likely go against the Aspiration of the current PDP state treasurer’s plan and team.

“In a bid to achieve this, it is alledged by Frank Achibong’s opponents that the strategy of administering Traditional oaths on delegegates which many believe was employed in the 2018 have already been designed to coerce and emotionally blackmail Delegates is already on top gear for execution.

Another keen observer of Local Government politics who also narrated political development in other parts of the state also alleged the issue of splitting of political groups in most Local Government Area ahead of the council pool.

The source who would not also want his name in print alleges; “In Okobo Local Government Area, the once powerful camp led by Mrs Felicia Bassey, Deputy Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has been deflated.

“There is a love lost between former Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Chief. Peter

Umoh and his God’s son Mr. Ubuo Ubuo who is currently the Chairman of Okobo Local Government Council and from investigations already campaigning for a second term.

“During the 2018 elections, the said Chief Peter had boasted that Hon. Ubuo was a product of a political reproduction between hImself and Princess Bassey.

“But things have become so bad that in Felicia’s camp which used to be called ‘Palace” and the

Chairman of Okobo Local Government Council is accusing Mr Peter Linus of playing God. Mrs Felicia camp is working very hard to regroup back to fame.”

DAILY INDEPENDENT reports that most leadership of local government councils in the state have performed quite poorly during the present dispensation, as about 70 per cent of the council secretariat were consistently reported to have been overgrown with weeds even before Covid-19 arrived to have furnished any excuse for low performance. (Sunday Independent)