… Afigh Iwaad Ekid cannot be pocketed by five persons – Etienne Bob
…I will win even if election is conducted 100 times – Usoro Paulinus
The run-off election for the presidential position in Afigh Iwaad Ekid, a socio-cultural organization in Eket Federal Constituency which was tied in a keenly contested election between Iwaad Etienne Bob and Iwaad Usoro Paulinus again has ended without a winner.
According to reports gathered at the venue of the rerun election, there were change of names in the delegate list which led to series of arguments among the contending camp therefore caused Uyo and Onna chapters not to cast their votes.
Speaking with the press after the rerun election was brought to an abrupt end by the Afigh Iwaad Ekid Electoral Committee (AFECOM) without pronouncement of a winner, one of the Presidential Candidates, Iwaad Etienne Bob alleged that there was sinister moves by the Advisory Committee to manipulate the delegate list to favour their anointed candidate which he said was strongly opposed by him.
He stated that there is no way players in a football match can be changed after both team have exhausted their substituted players, insisting that he will never allow Afigh Iwaad Ekid to be pocketed by only five people. He said he will win the election even if it is conducted 1000 times.
Iwaad Bob further stated that the Advisory Committee has no role on election matters except to advice the National Executive Committee and issues bordering on security in the organization as stated in the Constitution.
He added that the outgoing President General, Iwaad Pastor Godwin Williams had earlier dissolved the Advisory Committee and other standing committees which make them incapacitated especially on electoral issues.
He disclosed that even the outgoing President-General cannot influence on the outcome of the election as the Electoral Committee alone have the final say on outcome of the election. He warned that any attempt to swear-in any Caretaker Committee outside those that won their election in a free and fair contest, he will take appropriate action to restore back the mandate of members who exercised their franchise at the poll.
In his brief remarks, the contending presidential candidate, Iwaad Usoro Paulinus said confidently that even if the election is conducted 100 times, I will still win. He added that he had already won the election and will wait for AFECOM to do the needful.
It will be recalled that the election of Afigh Iwaad Ekid was conducted on 21st January, 2021 and two presidential candidates, Iwaad Etienne Bob and Iwaad Usoro Paulinus had 81 votes each making the election inconclusive. Now that the rerun presidential position had ended in stalemate, thongs are wagging what next action will be taken as AFECOM couldn’t be reached for their reaction.
Credit: Ubong Creativity
