By CrossRiverWatch Admin
The member representing Obudu/Obanliku/Bekwarra federal constituency in the 10th National Assembly, Hon. Peter Akpanke has charged members of Ukpe, Alege and Ubang (Ukalu) communities of Obudu Local Government Area to unite behind Dr. Richard Orim, the Special Assistant to the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh.
Akpanke stated this last weekend while attending the reception and thank you ceremony organized by the Ukalu communities, for Dr. Orim and Senator Enoh at the Primary School Ashikpe in Ukpe where he pointed out that the era of politicking has passed and it’s time for governance.
Akpanke, who seemingly was responding to reports of a division in the communities over whether Dr. Orim should command such a gathering, said he is aware of the plots and pointed out that only a united Ukalu will be able to enjoy the dividends of democracy.
“When God blesses you in life, you provide a shoulder for all of your brothers to lean on and grow. I want to tell us today that power comes from God. It is only God who can give power and he gives it to whoever he desires to give it to.
“If they had come to this community to ask who should be appointed as the SA to the minister, those who felt they were God would not appoint Dr. Richard Orim. But today, God has decided that Dr. Richard Orim should be appointed to that position,” Akpanke said.
The lawmaker who hails from Bendi in Obanliku, said the brotherhood shared by both communities who are descendants of Agba is what made him come down to show support despite being a member of the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
He said; “Go and find out, you know the relationship between Bendi people and Ukalu people. Bendi Agba, Ukalu Agba, I am one of you, I am your son.
“I know most of you are surprised that as a member of PDP, I am here today. I am your member of the House of Representatives. And, our elder brother, Senator John Owan Enoh, we have a very good relationship.
“For Dr. Richard Orim, I did not know he had even achieved so much. He is a very humble man that God has chosen at this point in time to lead you people. I want to tell you the youths, our women, our men, that, all of you – this choice of Dr. Richard Orim is going to benefit all of you.”
Read Also; Why Ukalu Communities Rolled Out Drums For Sports Minister, And His Aide, 33 Years After Last Visit
On the reports of a divided front, he averred that; “During the last election, so many people came here, trying to use you to cause problems, some people were banished from this community. Please, that era is gone, let us live peacefully with ourselves.
“It is only a man who has witchcraft, that if he hears that the younger brother, or his brother is progressing, he will be angry.
“This occasion today, all of you have come out, in numbers, en masse to come and celebrate all of us, to celebrate Senator John Owan Enoh, and your son, Dr. Richard Orim. Please, I urge all of you to continue to pray for him, as he is serving his master, let him serve very well and you know that in the next four years, by the time we come here again to talk to you people, we will have every reason that we have a son in Dr. Richard Orim.
“Please disregard those people who don’t want you to benefit. Whether PDP, APC, all that matters is governance, isn’t it? I want you people to continue to pray for us and give us support so that we will bring the dividends of democracy to you.”
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Furthermore, he cautioned those who act as strong men in the community to desist from such.
“You supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is the President of Nigeria today. He appointed one of us as Minister and our minister appointed one of us as his SA in that office. Whatever goes to the minister, whenever it drops from the Minister, it will come to Ukalu.
“Please, put yourself together. The only time you can benefit and bring progress to this community is to put yourself together.
“There is a parable in my place that a strong man does not come home to show that he is strong. You don’t come home to try to Lord your people to tell them that you have made it, you are God. Nobody is God. As a strong man, let us go and show it outside.
“I want to commend the organizers of this event, I am aware of a series of plans and meetings… Some people say they didn’t invite them or why did they want to recognize Dr. Richard Orim. Tell them that it is God that appointed him at this time to be where he is, so let us learn to celebrate ourselves. I appreciate the organizers of this event. What I have seen here today, I know that Utukalu is one,” he said.
Earlier, Dr. Orim had said his heart was only filled with gratitude and has nothing more to say while the Minister pointed out that it was destiny that ensured he crosses paths with Dr. Orim especially as he began his life in public service in 1989 at Ukpe.
Also, the Chairman of the Ukalu Traditional Rulers Council, Chief Iyang Thomas Odu, represented by Chief Ekunke Obi said Dr. Orim is the first person from Ukalu to get a federal appointment and expressed optimism that he won’t be the last, hence, their decision to thank the Minister for breaking the jinx.
The community donated a parcel of land for the minister to develop as he has become a formidable son of Ukalu.
