By Idongesit Ashameri – Correspondent, Uyo
The Ibibio Elders Forum, a socio-cultural organization in the state, has taken exception to what it described the manipulative and misrepresentation of facts in a recent media hype employed to ridicule the elders’ council by aspirants gunning for political offices in the forthcoming 2015 general elections.
The Chairman of the Ibibio Elders Forum, Dr Okon Akpan Uko KJW, stated that the elders will not close their doors on aspirants seeking to present their manifesto to them or indicating interest to vie for political offices in the state and beyond.
He, however, decried the arm-twisting tactics employed by some of them to score cheap political points.
At a recent consultation by one of the aspirants at the residence of the Ibibio Elders Forum Chairman, Dr Okon Akpan Uko, recently, the forum specifically informed the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, that as a respected Ibibio son they have nothing against him nor his ambition but cautioned that he should go about his consultation with decorum and dignity.
However, the forum, which is not a socio-political group as being portrayed by some politicians aspiring for elective positions but an organization of seasoned elders, who will give sound advice and counsel as they wont when consulted.
“We do not stop our members from supporting anyone. But as a group we do not endorse, sponsor or adopt aspirants. Therefore it was wrong for those promoting the aspiration of Mr. Udom Emmanuel to falsely put a press statement purporting his endorsement by Ibibio Elders Forum,” Uko said.
Uko emphasized that other aspirants have visited the group without such misrepresentation, saying, “We have received other gubernatorial aspirants like Barrister Effiong Abia, a former commissioner, Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan, Barrister Asuquo Asuqo Okpo and Mr. Umana Okon Umana, but they never misrepresented the forum or alleged that they had been endorsed by the forum.
“To this effect, we appeal to the promoters of Mr. Udom Emmanuel’s governorship aspiration not to throw caution to the wind and resist from disparaging the forum which is made up of men of high repute and trusted professionals from all works of life, I will also like his media team to always set the record straight not to bring confusion to the polity and present the Elders as partisan.
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