…as secret, unsolicited Bill leaks
The people of Eket and Esit Eket Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, speaking under the aegis of Ekid People’s Union (EPU) have demanded for the immediate withdrawal of a Bill in the National Assembly seeking change of name of the two Local Government Areas.
A Bill seeking to change Eket and Esit Eket names, in the Nigerian constitution, sponsored by the member representing Eket Federal Constituency in the House of Representative, Rt Hon Okpolupm Etteh, has passed second reading, heading to the committee level.
Arising from the first quarterly general meeting of EPU held on Friday April 11th, 2025, at the national secretariat, involving Board of Trustee members, affiliates, statutory members and all ordinary members of the Union, Ekid people called on Mr Etteh to withdraw the Bill immediately, show prove of withdrawal, tender unreserved apology.
The people wondered why such an unsolicited Bill, capable of distorting the history of Ekid Nation and igniting fire in the constituency, should even be contemplated without their consent.
They condemned in strong terms the action of the House member, describing it as mischievous, illegal and as a breach of trust.
Earlier in his speech, the President General of EPU, Dr Samuel Udonsak said “Ekid woke up to a surreptitious and perhaps a mischievous plan to change the names of Esit Eket and Eket Local Government Areas, via a Bill to amend the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to that effect, our heads were about to be shaved in our absence”
“We hold our Representative, Rt Hon Okpolupum Etteh wholly and sorely accountable and responsible for the attempted illegal and unsolicited name change of our Local Government Areas. The Ekid people are calling on Hon Okpolupum Etteh to immediately withdraw the Bill, show prove of withdrawal and tender and unreserved apology”, Dr Udonsak affirmed.
It would be recalled that a leaked document from the House of Representative, on the ongoing constitution amendment, surfaced in the social media penultimate week, detailing how a Bill for the change of name of Esit Eket and Eket Local Government Areas, sponsored by Rt Hon Okpolupum Etteh, has sailed through second reading at plenary.
The said leaked document generated tension in the Federal constituency, specifically in Ekid Nation, warranting the political leader of Eket Senatorial district, Chief Nduese Essien to summon Mr Etteh for a meeting with stakeholders of the two Local Government Areas.
In a resolution unanimously adopted by all, EPU demanded for “immediate withdrawal of the Bill and for the House of Representative member to show prove of withdrawal, within the shortest possible time, and as well tender an unreserved apology to Ekid Nation for such breach of trust and confidence”.
©Assam Abia
