By Ambrose Ologide
Comrade Victory Nanakparo and Mr Emmanuel Utuedor , Chairman and Secretary of the newly constituted substantive Ekpan Development Committee ( EDC ) respectively have applauded the Executive Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Council , Hon Ransom Tega Onoyake for constituting the committee.
This was contained in a statement titled : Re : Stakeholders In Ekpan Accuses Uvwie Council Chairman Ramson Onoyake Violation Of Ekpan Constitution dated 18th August, 2023 .
The statement noted that the dissolution of the said care taker and constitution of a substantive EDC has not in anyway violated the constitution of Ekpan but rather brought peace to the community.
Comrade Nanakparo and Mr Utuedor on behalf of the newly constituted substantive committee had in the statement noted that the constitution of a substantive EDC was done to correct the anomaly and injustice against the Etche R ‘ Oriokpor ( tradititioal administrative unit ) and indeed the Ekpan people in general 2 years ago.
The statement recalled that Hon Onoyake dissolved a duly elected Mr Stephen Akemu EDC led executive committee on 12th October, 2021 citing security reasons for the dissolution.
The statement pointed out that the dissolution of Stephen Akemu led Executive Committee brought about the constitution of Mr Obey Newton Onoadowan led caretaker committee of EDC. ‘ a committee alien to Ekpan Development Committee ( EDC ) constitution ‘ the statement noted
The statement therefore alleged that the constitution of the said caretaker committee triggered off unrest and series of petitions in Ekpan Community and that Etche R Oriokpor that produced the chairman of the duly elected EDC ( Stephen Akemu ) went to court to challenge the dissolution ‘ until HRM Abe 1 the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom intervened through a peace meeting on 8th June , 2023 .’
The statement added that a decision was reached at the said peace meeting that the Mr Newton Onoadowan led caretaker committee be dissolved and that the duly elected EDC which tenure was terminated by Hon Ransom Onoyake be reconstituted.
‘ The communique also gave Etche R Oriokpor the opportunity to nominate a person to replace late Stephen Akemu.
‘ This was what led to the emergence of Mr Victory Nanakparo led EDC executives’
The statement noted also that the constituted substantive EDC has been sworn in as agreed by the communique.
The statement further noted that the newly constituted substantive committee has the approval and support of Uvwie Tradititioal Council and Uvwie Local Government Council.
The statement then took a swipe at the authors of the statement ( Coalition Of All Groups In Ekpan ) that attacked Hon Ransom Onoyake on the dissolution of the caretaker committee and constitution of the substantive committee , stating that the authors did not mean well for Ekpan Community , accusing them for acting on selfish reasons.
‘ One wonder why a caretaker committee that was set up by the council chairman to hold brief for just 3 months but has operated more than 2 years and does not want to leave office any longer.
‘ They have turn back to call the same chairman who appointed them unprintable names . ‘
The statement emphasized that the Obey Newton Onoadowan led caretaker committee stands dissolved and that the newly sworn in Comrade Victory Nanakparo led substantive EDC has resumed operations.
‘ We are using this medium to alert the public, that if there be any form of crisis again in Ekpan Community, the security operatives know where to get those who feed on crisis situations in the community’ the statement added
Identification of the attached photo
Members of the newly constituted substantive Ekpan Development Committee (EDC) being inaugurated at Ekpan Community Hall , Uvwie Local Government Area.
