Hon Pius Emmanuel John: Consistency, Loyalty and Reward

Paiko is a household name in the politics of Etinan Local Government Area. It refers to one person, Hon Pius Emmanuel John, a grassroots politician from Ikot Esen Oku village in the present southern Iman ward 3. Between 2012 and 2015 he represented his ward in Etinan legislative council and was elevated to the position of vice chairman of the council following the death of then Vice Chairman,Pastor Ufon George. In the transition committee that was put in place between 2015 and 2016, he served as the secretary.

In the build up to the 2017 Local Government elections, Paiko was one of the leading aspirants for the office of Chairman. He had assembled a very formidable team made up of grassroots politicians from the then 11 wards of Etinan Local Government Area. That aspiration was later aborted following political persuasion and horse trading. Without compensation, he was ‘promised’ better offer in the future and considering the fact that the House of Assembly seat was rotating to the southern political bloc, Paiko was tipped for the seat.

Again he started his campaign early by choosing men and women of timber and caliber to lead his campaign. The whole political structure from the ward up to the chapter was in support of Paiko. The train was moving smoothly, gaining widespread endorsement along the line until a greater interest at the state level swallowed the entire interest of Etinan people and Paiko was again asked to step down his aspiration.

To hundreds of his followers and supporters, it was a humiliating moment and several options were weighed. In the end, through his charismatic leadership, he was able to inspire his followers to support the PDP ahead of the general elections of 2023.

As a grassroots politician, there were many options before him when it was clear that PDP nomination was not coming his way. He was an adorable bride with many suitors courting his experience and antecedents. He overcame all the juicy offers and committed himself to the success of PDP and all her candidates.

His loyalty, dedication and commitment to the party was put to test but he proved himself a very consistent politician that he has always been by refusing those enticing offers.
The result of that level of consistency is the unanimous confidence reposed on him by the political leadership of Etinan that he is able to lead the party at the chapter level.

Speaking after Hon
Pius Emmanuel John was elected to pilot the affairs of the party in Etinan, a Member of the Federal House of Representatives, Obong Paul Ekpo while congratulating Paiko testified of his leadership capacity and his ability to successfully steer the wheels of the Party at the Chapter’s level.

Pius Emmanuel John had emerged the substantive Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Etinan Chapter at the end of the Chapter Congress held at the Party Office, located along Ekpene Ukpa Road, Etinan Local Government Area on Saturday, 10th August, 2024.