Dennis Udoma, Uyo
A female aspirant for a House of Representatives seat in Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Mfon Ekong has cried out for help after she was allegedly lured into the race for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for her constituency and deceived by a party chief who now wants to snatch the ticket from her and her people to whom the ticket has been zoned.
Mrs. Ekong, who is devastated by what she considers high level treachery and betrayal by the party chief is now taking refuge in, and seeking divine intervention at, the Mount Zion Light House Full Gospel Church, No. 16 Eka Street, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
She said she is seek divine justice and to commit her aspiration to God.
A former chairman of Nsit Ibom Local Government Council, Mrs. Ekong told newsmen that, it is the turn of her local government area to produce the next House of Representatives member for Etinan Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State in 2023.
She said she had informed the former state chairman of the PDP, Obong Paul Ekpo of her aspiration and had received his endorsement and encouragement only for him to turn around and betray her. According to her, Ekpo had bought the form to run for the Uyo Senatorial District seat the same day she bought the House of Representatives form but has dramatically made a u-turn and now wants to contest the House of Representatives seat following the new zoning arrangement announced by the executive committee of PDP in the State.
Efforts to speak with Mr. Ekpo on the allegation proved abortive as he did not pick his calls as at press time.
Mrs. Ekong, who represented Nsit Ibom State constituency in the House of Assembly said: “I did not want to speak about this, but a lot of people are saying that I have conceded to Paul Ekpo.
“I have not conceded. I will contest till the very end. I am consulting. Paul Ekpo cannot cause me to sell the only house I built, and then turn around to betray me.
“He bought a form for the Senate the same day I bought my own form. We went together. He was the one that encouraged me to sell my property to prosecute this election.
The truth is that I thought Onofiok Luke would contest for a second term. So, I did not want to contest against him. But the young man told me and everyone that he cannot go against the zoning arrangement which now favours Nsit Ibom.
“So, Paul Ekpo told me, I should consult the elders so that he would ensure that his delegates would support me.
Because of that, I consulted him first and he collected the drink I took to him, and took part of the cash I brought, and said he wouldn’t take the entire cash, but to show that he supports my aspiration he had to take very little and return the rest to me. Then he and his wife told me that I have to go to consultations with him (Paul) so that we could use one stone to kill two birds.
“Paul knows that I got nothing from this government since they robbed me of the chance to return to the State Assembly. I sold everything I had to prosecute that election which they robbed me of, and now Paul Ekpo has caused me to sell my house. I will lie in the presence of God and cry until my prayers are answered,” she said.
Mrs. Ekong also alleged that, ” Ekpo is planning to send people to attack me, and he is boasting that he would ensure that I am screened out. But he should know that there are two pens: the earthly pen and the one owned by God. If Paul causes the earthly pen to cross out my name, his own name would be erased by the host of heaven. That’s why I am here in God’s house to present my case. My God will fight my battle as usual. I am still in the race, and I will win.”
She stoutly debunked the rumour making the rounds that she has pulled out from the Etinan Federal Constituency race, insisting that, “I am still in the race, and strongly so. I have been here (in Church) praying to God. What people are saying regarding my aspiration is not true. I have not withdrawn and I can never withdraw for anybody.”
Asked if it was true that Governor Udom Emmanuel had told her to withdraw for Mr. Ekpo, she emphatically said no.
According to her, the Governor has been misinformed by Mr. Paul Ekpo stressing, “Paul Ekpo has not told the Governor the truth. He has not told the Governor that it is rightfully the turn of Nsit Ibom to occupy the seat of Etinan Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives. He has not told the Governor that he (Paul) asked me to buy the form, that he would support me.
“Even when I told Paul that I had no money, he said I should look for money. Before I sold my property to raise money I called Paul Ekpo to be sure that he had not changed his mind, and he still asked me to go ahead,” she said.
