By Solomon OKPO
EKET, A high-stakes stakeholders meeting convened on April 4 has reignited public debate over the controversial bill proposing a change of name from “Eket” to “Ekid.” Convened at the residence of elder statesman Rt. Hon. Nduese Essien, the meeting featured Rt. Hon. Opolopm Ette, Member representing Eket Federal Constituency, who attempted to address growing tensions surrounding the legislative move.
The root of the controversy stems from an April 24, 2024 letter authored by former ambassador and legal luminary Chief Assam Assam, SAN, which advocated for replacing the name “Eket”—viewed as a colonial relic—with “Ekid,” considered a more indigenous identity. However, the lack of transparent consultation or legislative protocol in moving the bill forward has raised serious procedural questions.
Stakeholders expressed dismay that the bill quietly advanced to a second reading in the National Assembly without prior community engagement. Many were unaware of its existence until it surfaced on the legislative agenda. The delay in disclosing such a sensitive issue has led to a widespread trust deficit within the constituency.
Rt. Hon. Ette, who was reportedly ill during the bill’s advancement, claimed he promptly requested the bill be stood down upon regaining awareness. However, participants at the meeting emphasized that a bill “stood down” remains active unless formally withdrawn by its sponsor through a written notice submitted to the Clerk of the National Assembly.
It was also revealed that key assignments, such as drafting and distributing briefing letters to Akwa Ibom federal lawmakers, were left unfulfilled. This failure further highlighted the disjointed coordination surrounding the issue, which several speakers called “avoidable and politically costly.”
While Rt. Hon. Ette was commended for presenting the original letter and attempting to calm tensions, the briefing also exposed how many key figures had been sidelined from the process. The political fallout was palpable, with some participants describing the session as both enlightening and deeply troubling.
Since the meeting, social media commentary, particularly from vocal supporters of the name change, has shifted toward personal attacks and emotionally charged rhetoric. Elder Etukudo Etukudo Essien, a power consultant and political analyst, cautioned against such behavior, urging stakeholders to adopt respectful dialogue rooted in facts, not sentiment.
Stakeholders insist that a formal withdrawal of the bill must be submitted and publicly acknowledged to bring closure to the matter. Without this step, the legislative proposal remains alive and could resurface.
The April 4 meeting may have temporarily eased tensions, but it also served as a wake-up call about the need for better communication, constitutional adherence, and political maturity within Eket Federal Constituency.
