Otu Wins Historic Efik Unified Election with Two Votes
By Eyobong Ita
Diaspora Gazette
It was down to the wire!
It came down to the final vote tally. Ultimately, only two votes separated the two candidates for president of the rejuvenated U.S.-based Efik National Association, Inc.
In a keenly contested race, Itu Otu, head of global supplier at Logitech, edged out Dr. Grace Inyang, a psychiatrist, by the slimmest of margins, 110-108.
“We are all winners; there is no vanquished in this whole process because we are both working towards the same goal,” Otu said shortly after he was announced as the newly elected president in the most keenly contested election in the history of Efik organizations in the United States.
The election of Otu marked the first time in 13 years that the Efik community in the United States will have one leader. Following a 2011 crisis that rocked the Efik community and split the Efik National Association into factions, there have been two organizations, two presidents, and two boards.
“I’m committed to the pledges I made during the campaign, including the famous ‘This is us’ initiatives,” Otu said. “We will be transparent; we will be inclusive; we should be held accountable; we will be engaging, collaborative, and always advocating for the betterment of this organization.”
Dr. Inyang congratulated Otu and urged the organization to support the new president and his team.
“This is a new day. Let all of us get together and work to keep our community; our children are looking at us,” she said. “History will determine in the future what was done at this time.”
Inyang urged all members to embrace the new organization and move forward as one.
“What matters is not individuals. It is this organization; it is what our children will come to see,” she said. “I charge us to be one united Efik National Association, Inc. in the name of Jesus!”