As aspirants begin jostling for the chairmanship and councilorship positions ahead of the forthcoming Local Government elections slated for December in Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno, has warned those intensifying consultations to exercise restraint and avoid what he described as wasteful and frivolous spendings as whistle for the polls is yet to be blown.
He said it was Ill-timed for such campaigns and consultations to be elevated to the front burner at a time the state is busy trying to stabilize with the new administration in place struggling to find the right footing for a smooth take -off after the general elections.
Addressing the local government chairmen, after a dedication ceremony for Abasiakara and Abasiofon, twin children of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Chairman, Hon. Ekopimo Polycarp, at the Eseme Essien Events Centre, Osongama Estate, Uyo, the state capital, Eno, stressed that selection of candidates would be done by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in line with the existing zoning arrangement.
Eno noted that he was aware of activities of some chairmanship and councilorship aspirants and stakeholders in some local government areas who have started spending their hard earned money on consultations for the positions even when the state electoral umpire is yet to clarify on such issues, and warned such power-seeking persons to put their intentions on hold until an order is given on such political venture.
He, therefore, warned those he described as political jobbers, not to expect any form of compensation, insisting that the state or the party would not compensate any individual or group engaging in frivolities in the name of consultations for now.
He said: “Let me also inform you that some people have started consultations for Chairmanship and Councilorship positions, please don’t spend your money. I will not compensate anybody or Association for engaging in consultation for such positions in the local government areas.
“Please I have not sent you to waste your money on consultations. Wait until we blow the whistle for Local Government elections. We are trying to ensure that the government takes shape and we are doing the best we can.
Please note, if zoning does not favour you, don’t even worry yourself because no amount of pressure can make me go against the party zoning arrangements.”
Eno who also harped on the need for maintenance of peace in the Councils, called on the Local Government Chairmen to live up to their vested responsibilities.
He observed that the mapping law has generated a lot of skirmishes in some places and used the occasion to advise the people to excercise restraint as the mapping case is pending in the court of competent jurisdiction and would soon be determined.
He warned that local government areas where security is found to have been compromised will face the wrath of the law, urging the Council Chairmen to be watchful by putting modalities in place to forestall such breaches and announced his intention to meet with the Council Chairmen across the state.
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