Cross River: PA resigns appointment, accuses Council boss of complicity in Iko Esai crisis
* His resignation is a mischief – Council Boss
… Dissolve youth council to stem crisis – Lawmaker
By Ani Bassey
Patrick Aidam, the personal assistant to the deputy leader of the Akamkpa Legislature has resigned his appointment.
His resignation is due to the ongoing communal crisis in the Iko Esai community of Akamkpa LGA of Cross River State.
The crisis in the community which has been festering over the past three years recently took a violent turn with at least one person dead and properties destroyed.
The former personal assistant in his resignation letter accused the council boss Felix Akposi of complicity in the crisis.
“Today, Iko Esai is in ruins, a shadow of its former self courtesy of the divisive politics of the chairman.
“My community has been destroyed, people killed, houses burnt and several other destructions on a daily basis yet nothing is done about it as the chairman continues to dine and wine with penetrators of these heinous crimes.
“At present, there are clandestine plans by the chairman to derecognise the current Clan Head of Iko Esai Clan, Chief Obio Arong Owai and enthrone a new chief on his stool.
“This is notwithstanding the current travails of a man whose two sisters have been killed, his houses burnt, vehicles burnt, his means of livelihood destroyed and still in detention”, he said.
He added that the events leading to this decision has culminated into very critical moments, worrisome and an existential threat to his life hence the decision to quit.
However in his response, Hon. Felix Akposi the chairman of the council faulted the decision saying it’s an exercise in mischief.
“His co called resignation letter is not only an exercise in mischief but a compendium of calculated falsehoods, laced with incendiary rhetoric.
“If Mr. Patrick Aidam and his cohorts are truly concerned about the well being of Iko Esai, let them abandon their pernicious agenda, embrace truth and become part of the solution”, he said.
He described the crisis within the community as a combination of years of internecine wrangling, factional antagonism and an ingrained culture of deception which his former appointee helped to perpetuate.
He tasked stakeholders to abandon factionalism, tell the truth and work towards lasting reconciliation.
Also speaking on the crisis, Okon Owuna member representing Akamkpa one in the State House of Assembly revealed that he moved a motion of urgent public importance in the House, urging the government to step in swiftly to de-escalate the situation.
He further recommended the dissolution of the current youth council, pending the formation of a new executive committee by the community, as a step toward restoring lasting peace.
He emphasized the need for proactive measures to prevent further destruction and ensure stability in Akamkpa 1 Constituency.
