By Etim UFFORD

Eket Senatorial District, a pivotal region in Akwa Ibom State, has been thrown into a whirlwind of controversy as stakeholders and leaders of thought openly question the paternity and political ambitions of Hon. Frank Archibong, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Hon. Frank Archibong, long regarded as a key player in the political dynamics of the state, now finds himself at the center of heated debates and damning allegations.

PATERNITY CONTROVERSY: EKET OR ORON?

The storm began with pointed inquiries into Archibong’s lineage. While his late mother was married to an Eket man, critics assert that Archibong’s paternal roots lie in Oron ancestry, raising questions about his claims to Eket indigeneity.

One of the stakeholders from Odio, Chief Ekwere Akpabio, said “This revelation has sent shock-waves across the district. Many people are beginning to question his authenticity as a representative of Eket’s interests.”

A prominent elder from the district, Obong Edet Okon, speaking to our reporter, said “The question of Hon. Frank Archibong’s paternity is not just a personal matter; it’s about the integrity of representation. We cannot allow outsiders to impose their will on our people under the guise of shared heritage.”

Speaking further, Obong Okon said, “We are not against Hon. Frank Archibong’s senatorial ambition. He is qualified. All we want is to know whether he is aspiring to be in the Senate in 2027 from Oron Federal Constituency or Eket Federal Constituency. It is simple. We will recommend a DNA test to help him out, if he is confused.”

WEALTH AND ALLEGED DIABOLIC PRACTICES

Adding fuel to the fire are allegations that Hon. Frank Archibong is the wealthiest Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, a status some attribute to dubious practices within the state and local government Joint Allocation Committee, where funds released to LGAs from the Federal Allocation are pooled.

“Hon. Frank Archibong’s sudden wealth cannot be explained by his legitimate earnings alone. There are whispers of dark rituals and questionable financial dealings that have made him untouchable in the political arena,” a youth activist, Comrade Emmanuel Pius, explained.

2027 SENATE AMBITIONS: A HANDPICKED SUCCESSOR AGAINST ZONING?

As the dust settles on his paternity and wealth, another controversy looms large: Archibong’s rumoured Senate bid in 2027, against zoning to Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency.

Political insiders suggest that Mr. Udom Emmanuel has “handpicked” Archibong to run for the Eket Senatorial seat, allegedly using him as a proxy to protect his interests and maintain influence in the district, irrespective of the fact that Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency, the current occupant, has right to two terms.

Speaking, a senior political analyst and public affairs commentator, Mr. Etim Etim, said “This is a calculated move. Udom Emmanuel is not just backing Hon. Frank Archibong, he is ensuring his own legacy and shielding his tracks. The question is whether the people of Eket will allow this imposition.”

STAKEHOLDERS DEMAND ANSWERS

The revelations have sparked outrage among stakeholders, who are now calling for transparency and accountability.

Community leaders across the Senatorial District have demanded an open dialogue to address the swirling allegations and to clarify Archibong’s paternity, wealth, and political aspirations.

“Eket Senatorial District deserves leaders who are honest, transparent, and truly representative of our heritage. We will not sit back and watch our district become a playground for political manipulations and questionable practices,” a respectable traditional leader opined.

A DISTRICT DIVIDED

As the controversies surrounding Hon. Frank Archibong deepen, the Eket Senatorial District finds itself at a crossroads. Will the people rally against what some see as an orchestrated plot to undermine their autonomy, or will Hon. Frank Archibong’s political machinery silence the opposition? One thing is certain: the road to 2027 will be anything but smooth for the embattled Commissioner.

The coming months promise to be a defining period for Eket Senatorial District as it grapples with questions of identity, leadership, and the integrity of its political future. All eyes are now on Hon. Frank Archibong as things unfold.