*2015: Kinsmen Disown Senator Etok, Urge Akpabio for Senate*

Stakeholders and elders from Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency have appealed

to Governor Godswill Akpabio to forgive them over the recent media attacks

on him by their son, Senator Alloysius Etok.
At a well-attended town hall meeting at the Ikono local government

headquarters,Ibiaku Ntok Okpo, the Ikono/Ini people told the Governor that

Senator Etok was on his own, as he had no one's backing to engage on

calumnious blackmail against their governor.
A political chieftain and former Chairman of the National Broadcasting

Commission, Chief Otu Robert Akpan, maintained that both in the first term

in 2007 and in 2011, Governor Akpabio was largely instrumental to the

emergence of Dr Etok in the senate.
Chief Akpan recounted how Akpabio had harped on justice and equity when he

urged the people of Ikot Ekpene senatorial district to allow Ikono Federal

Constituency to produce a senator for the first time since the independence

of the country.
The former NBC top brass said the Ikono and Ini people where full of

profound appreciation to the governor for his enormous achievements in the

state, and urged him on stronger.
Akpan continued, “when I sit down and reflect on the things you have done

for this state, I feel so bad when people insult you”.

He furthered that, “in 2011, we wouldn't have voted for Senator Etok, but

you pleaded again and we allowed him to return, but we are sorry for the

insults he has rained on you”,
While presenting the Governor with a book that highlighted the treacherous

nature of Dr. Etok to his benefactors while in the House of Representatives

in 1992, Chief Akpan urged the Governor to desist from paying any attention

to blackmailers.
The elder statesman expressed the readiness of the elders to fully support

zoning and Akpabio's transition programme, even as he stated that that the

Governor had a duty to play a strong role in the emergence of a worthy

successor.
Barr Iquo Minima, a former two term federal lawmaker, recounted how

Governor Akpabio had appealed for them to back out from the race in other

to pave the way for Etok to re-emerge. Barr. Minima said she was impressed

with the laudable achievements of Governor Akpabio in the State, adding

that “even if you are blind, you cannot feign ignorance of the

transformation brought about by His Excellency in the State.”

Another aspirant Dr Emmanuel Akpanobong also confirmed that over 19

aspirants in obedience to Governor Akpabio, grudgingly conceded the

position to Dr Alloy Etok.
Governor Akpabio assured that he bore no grudge against Ikono /Ini people

adding that he had already forgiven Alloy Etok for all his mistakes. The

Governor appealed for forgiveness over his role in the emergence of Dr.

Etok, said his decision at the time was taken in good fate, with the hope

of getting Akwa Ibom an experience hand in the senate.

He recounted the political appointments and projects completed in Ikono/Ini

federal constituency and assured that he will continue to cherish the

age-long brotherly relationship his family had always enjoyed with

Ikono/Ini which is also regarded as the original birthplace of the Ibibios.

On their unanimous endorsement for him to represent the senatorial district

in the senate in 2015, Governor Akpabio thanked them, but said he would

respond at the appropriate time.
Most of the people who spoke, including the paramount ruler of the area,

advocated the emergence of the next governor from Eket Senatorial district,

and also wanted Governor Akpabio as their Senator in 2015.