BY: Nick Nwaneri, Calabar
A group known as “The Odukpani Grassroot Development Initiate”, (OGDI) has critizised the leadership style of the council chairman, Hon. Justina Edem.
In a Yuletide message, the group says, “it differs in her perception, approach and leadership style which has rather stiffened innovation and sowed much seed of discord, making it obvious that unlike hitherto, the people of Odukpani are no longer one indivisible Family” .
In a statement signed by the President and Secretary, Comrade Micheal Edet Anya and Otu Etim Onoyom said “we are civil citizens, indigenes of Odukpani Local Government Area under the OGDI focusing on inclusive governance, with tentacles in all the geo-political units of the Local Government Area.”
“As civil indigenes, we share in the joy brought about by the yuletide/new year and sincerely commend, His Excellency Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade for creating an enabling peaceful environment and guaranteeing a guided expenditure pattern for Local Government Councils in the state.”
Also, “we equally appreciate the conduct of party affairs in the State especially with the emergence of Alphonsus Eba (Barrister) as the All Progressives ‘Congress (APC) State Chairman.”
However, ” the emergence of the current Chairman of Odukpani Local Government Area, Hon. (Mrs.) Justina Edem, should be said weighed strongly on the basis of gender equity and deserves commendation, being one of the few female Chairmen of Local Government Councils in the State.”
The statement further said “we make bold to say unequivocally, that the current impasse between the executive and the legislative arms in the Local Government Council culminating in the impeachment of the Leader of Odukpani Local Government Legislative Council, Hon. Godwin Iya is a product of ineptitude and absolutism of the Chairman.”
It queried “How can one imagine a situation where hoodlums and miscreants were organized to beat up a sitting leader of the Legislative Council in no other place but in Odukpani. How can this ugly spectacle be counted as achievement by the leadership of Justina Edem.?”
Furthrrmore, “how can an existing building in the LGA be converted to Ekondo microfinance Bank using it to compel people to open accounts for thirty thousand payments and yet they can’t get paid?”
The statement further added that “It is now public knowledge that the initial N30m released for projects to Local Govts was only used for the painting and commissioning of an existing Chieftaincy Building which is in variance with the purpose why the funds was released and the amount earmarked for the project.”
“The deceitful painting of old buildings with very low quality paints has now become the order of the day.Recently again,fifty million was released for capital projects and the Chairman could not accomplish even a borehole in any ward but rather repainted a council Hall that has existed for over twenty years for commissioning again by the Deputy Governor. No projects have been done anywhere and yet, the leadership of the Local Government has kept mute.How can the painting of existing buildings be justified for such a huge sum?”.
According to the statement, “how can transparency and prudency be measured to give the people of Odukpani confidence in the leadership of the Local Government?”.
“It is evident that sycophancy is now the order of the day. How can one justify current injustices and naked self-interest where a Ford Ranger Vehicle was carted away Justina and Eyo Ita Okon the Chairman’s Crony refurbished and later presented to Eyo’s Father as a birthday gift?”
.Therefore, “we urge Justina Edem to publish the list of beneficiaries in the Governor Ben Ayade’s social programme of N30,000.00 monthly per polling unit programme to put food on the Table in Odukpani Local Government Area”.
The statement noted, “we demand unreserved apology by the Chairman to the State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu, for having been misled by the Chairman to commission an already existing project instead of a new project as was envisaged.
The group said “It is irksome that rather than seek appropriate means of bringing about lasting peace in the Ediong-Obom Itiat-Eki communal crises in the Local Government Area, the Chairman is busy pursuing mischief, as the people are left to drift”.
The government under Justina Edem, the statement added, “has only bequeathed ethnic cleavages, divide and rule, high handedness and flagrant abuse of office with disrespect to elders, opinion leaders and stakeholders who deserve to know the workings of government.”
The statement said, “In fact, Odukpani has lost its glory as the center of Rural Development Effort and Micro Project Destination. We challenge Justina Edem (Chairman)to a mandate submit to enable her explain to the people of Odukpani how she has been able to manage their affairs in the interim. This is a path for progress as we march through 2022.”
Effort to reach at the council chairman 0roved abortive as she could not be reached on phone.
