By Our Reporter

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, has come under criticism following remarks he made about the Executive Chairman of Abak Local Government Area, Mrs Ime Effiong Charles, over her absence from an APC youth rally in Akwa Ibom State.

The controversy followed a video circulating on social media in which the minister questioned why the Abak council chairman was absent from the rally organised by youths from Etim Ekpo and Ika local government areas at the Etim Ekpo Council Secretariat in Utu Etim Ekpo on Thursday, October 22.

Speaking at the event, Ekpo reportedly said: “Though I have not seen the Chairman of Abak Local Government, she will explain to me why she is not here. I am not Ekperikpo Ekpo. I am a sitting Minister of the Federal Cabinet.”

His comments have drawn reactions from some political stakeholders and social media users, who described the remarks as inappropriate and argued that an elected local government chairman should not be publicly reprimanded by an appointed federal official over her absence from a political gathering.

Sources told Straightnews that Mrs Charles was allegedly not invited to the event, raising further questions about why her absence became a subject of public criticism.

Akwa Ibom Political Platform also stated on its official Facebook page that the rally was organised by youths from Etim Ekpo and Ika, rather than the three local government areas that make up the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency.

At the event, the member representing the federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Clement Jimbo, reportedly thanked the chairmen of Etim Ekpo and Ika, Gideon Uwa and Utibe Nwoko, respectively, for endorsing him for a second term.

Journalist questions minister’s approach

Among those who fires back at the minister’s remarks was journalist Divine Sam, who argued that holding a federal appointment should not give anyone the impression that elected officials are subordinate to them.

In a Facebook post, Sam wrote: “Ministerial appointment is temporary; the people’s mandate deserves respect. Abak is not anybody’s political kingdom!”

He questioned why Mrs Charles should be expected to abandon her official responsibilities simply because the minister was attending a political rally within the federal constituency.

Sam also raised the possibility that the chairman might have had prior official engagements, including responsibilities involving Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno.

“Minister, with all due respect, your appointment does not make you the governor of Abak, nor does it turn an elected council chairman into your pocket as subordinate. You were appointed to serve in the Federal Government, while the chairman was elected by her people to serve at the grassroots. Both offices carry responsibilities, and both deserve respect,” he stated.

The journalist further challenged Ekpo to publicly present a verifiable record of his contributions to the constituency, including federal projects, road rehabilitation, employment opportunities and other development initiatives.

He also questioned the minister’s claim of providing 100 employment opportunities, asking how beneficiaries were selected and whether young people from less privileged backgrounds had equal access to the opportunities.

Sam called on the minister to identify specific projects he had attracted or executed, including their locations, funding and beneficiaries.

APC youth leader defends Abak chairman

Ekom E. Ukpeh, an APC youth leader in Afaha Obong Ward One, also weighed in on the controversy, urging political stakeholders to show respect for Mrs Charles and avoid interpreting her absence as a lack of support for the ruling party.

Ukpeh noted that the chairman might have had prior commitments that prevented her attendance and questioned whether the event organisers had formally invited her.

He maintained that the rally was organised by youths from Etim Ekpo and Ika, adding that the Abak chairman would ordinarily have been the host if the event had been organised for the entire federal constituency.

Ukpeh also called on the organisers to reach out to the chairman and apologise if she had been unfairly treated, stressing the need to preserve cooperation and peace among political leaders in the area.

Another critic demands accountability from minister

Goodluck Essien also criticised Ekpo under the headline, “AN APPOINTEE INSULTING AN ELECTED CHAIRPERSON. EKPERIKPE EKPO, WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO INSULT ABAK PEOPLE?”

Essien questioned the minister’s development record, alleging that Ika Local Government Area had endured more than three decades without electricity and challenging Ekpo to demonstrate what he had done to address the situation.

He said the minister’s appointment had initially raised expectations among constituents that it would attract gas-related investments and federal projects to the constituency.

However, he accused Ekpo of using his position to criticise the elected chairman rather than addressing the development concerns of the people.

Essien also questioned whether Mrs Charles had been invited to the rally and challenged the political pressure surrounding Jimbo’s reported second-term ambition.

He argued that the minister’s remarks were not merely a personal disagreement but could be interpreted by residents as disrespect towards the people who elected the Abak chairman.

“As a Minister of the Federal Republic, kindly show the people of Abak one single project you have executed in Abak Federal Constituency since your appointment. What have you done for Abak?” Essien queried.

He maintained that Mrs Charles was not answerable to the minister simply because he occupied an appointed federal position.

The controversy has continued to generate debate over political protocol, respect for elected officials, accountability and the relationship between appointed public officeholders and grassroots leaders in Akwa Ibom State.

However, the allegations and criticisms raised by the individuals quoted in the report represent their respective positions, and the minister’s response to the controversy was not included in the account.