By Frank Ulom
Stakeholders from Yala II State Constituency, also known as Ukelle Nation, have opposed the rumoured endorsement of Dr Stella Odey-Ekpo for the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement, constituents under the Ukelle Nation said they were rejecting any move to field Odey-Ekpo, citing unresolved grievances over the death of one Charles Onwe, popularly known as Omo Jesu, in 2020. According to the group, Onwe alleged before his death that he was attacked by armed men at a property in Ugaga, Yala LGA. The group claimed he had linked the incident to Dr Odey-Ekpo, who was then Commissioner for Local Government Affairs under the former Governor Ben Ayade-led Government.
The stakeholders said the incident deepened tensions between Yala I and Yala II constituencies and accused Dr Odey-Ekpo of previously deploying armed groups against Ukelle indigenes and others opposed to her interests.
Chief Sunday Ochadu Ogana, who spoke on behalf of the Ukelle Nation, said the constituency had endured violence, discrimination, and intimidation and would not accept a candidate they consider responsible for harm against their people.
“We reject any attempt to impose on us our own enemy,” Ochadu said. “We the people of Ukelle are eminently qualified to represent Ogoja/Yala in the National Assembly, and we will not vote against our sensibility.”
Ogana proposed that if Ukelle were to step aside, the All Progressives Congress should allow the current representative, Hon. Offiono, to complete a second term before handing over to Ukelle in subsequent cycles.
The group also appealed to APC leadership to recognise their position ahead of the polls, saying they had consulted widely at the grassroots and would maintain their stance at the ballot box.
Ochadu expressed appreciation to Governor Bassey Otu for initiating a 5km road project in North Ukelle, saying the community wished to reciprocate with support in 2027. He added, however, that it would be difficult to support any candidate linked to Onwe’s death, as it would “reopen old wounds.”
Dr Stella Odey-Ekpo, who previously served as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs and was briefly appointed to the Federal Character Commission in 2023, is reported to be considering a run for the Federal House of Representatives seat.
Several calls were made to Dr Odey-Ekpo at the time of filing this report, for comment, but returned “no answer.”
