Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has called on members and Chieftains of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to do all within reach to promote peace, unity and progress of the party in the state to position it for victory as the LG polls approach.
The governor made the call during the Ward Congresses at the weekend, to elect new Ward Executives of the Party across the State.
Impressed by the large turnout and participation of members, Eno saluted PDP in the state for what he described as unity of purpose while urging the party faithful to sustain their dedication and commitment to the success of the Party.
Speaking in Ibiakpan Obotim Ward 2, Nsit Ubium, Local Government Area, the governor, who is the leader of the Party in Akwa Ibom, expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the congress and particularly hailed party faithful for what he described as unity of purpose.
Eno charged the newly elected Executives of the Wards to be committed and dedicated to the growth of the Party and its members, adding that the successful outcome of the Congress was an indication that the party was ready for the forthcoming local government elections.
“From the report we have received across the state, Congresses went well and all the party guidelines and principles were observed. We have our party representatives from Abuja, independent observers as well as INEC around. So all the requirements were met. It’s been a very peaceful congress and we trust God that this is how it will continue,” the Governor affirmed.
The State Chairman of the PDP, Elder Aniekan Akpan, corroborated the reports from returning officers in the various wards indicating that the process was very peaceful and smooth, affirming the readiness of the party to participate and win the upcoming local government elections.
Addressing party members in Oron, the state deputy governor, Her Excellency, Akon Eyakenyi lauded the Party for ensuring that every member has a sense of belonging which is reflected in the massive show of support and love during the Congress.
On his part, the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong affirmed that the outcome of the PDP Ward Congresses was the confirmation that Akwa Ibom remains a strong of the PDP, expressing confidence that the Party will continue to record overwhelming success in elections.
In Ubium North Ward 3, the political leader of Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Effiong Bob noted that the Congress was in fulfilment of PDP’s avowed commitment to upholding the tenets of democracy.
While congratulating the new Ward Executive, Senator Effiong called on them to always put the interest of the Party first in their actions and solicited the support of party faithful in the area in order for the Party to remain strong and united.
In Ubium North Ward 2, the Congress witnessed a high turnout of members as the Chief Protocol to the Governor, Mr Otobong Edemidiong praised party faithful for their unflinching love and support to the Party.
In Etinan Local Government, the Congress also held peacefully in Etinan South Ward 2, Etinan Urban Ward 1, and Northern Iman Ward 1, among others.
The member representing Etinan/Nsit Ubium/Nsit Ibom Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Paul Ekpo; the Transition Committee Chairman of Etinan, Hon Uko Umoh, and other stakeholders, expressed their satisfaction with the conduct of the Congress across the Local Government.
In Ward 10, Itu Local Government Area, the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Kufreabasi Edidem, alongside other leaders and stakeholders of the ward, who took part in the exercise, lauded the faithfuls of PDP in the ward for the peaceful conduct, while congratulating the newly elected members of the party EXCO in the ward, tasking them to lead the party in the ward to more victories.
The Congress, which successfully held across various wards in Ibiono Ibom LGA, also had a large turnout of party faithful, where the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong who had sent a personal message of goodwill and solidarity to Party faithful who gathered in Ibiono Ibom Western 2, encouraging them to keep supporting the party and Gov Umo Eno, as another round of electioneering beckons.
Member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Rt. Hon Ime Okon, and the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Borono Bassey, in their respective remarks also commended the orderly conduct of the election, spurring the faithful to keep supporting the party and Gov Umo Eno.
The Ward Congresses across Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency witnessed massive turnout of party faithful and featured election of new Ward Executives for the Party, like the rest of the State.
In Abak Urban Ward 4 (INEC ward 3) the exercise went smoothly with stakeholders including the immediate past member of the House of Representatives Hon Aniekan Umanah, Arch. Okon Obot and Mrs. Christy Obot among others congratulating the newly elected executives, urging them to carry every member of the party along.
In Etim Expo Ward 1, the immediate past National Legal Adviser of PDP, Emmanuel Enoidem SAN, expressed delight with the large turnout of party faithful to the Congress and sued for continued support for Governor Umo Eno’s administration, while urging the newly elected ward executive officers not to disappoint the confidence reposed on them by members of the party in the ward.
At Etim Ekpo Ward 6, the member representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency, Rt Hon Mfon Idung lauded the conduct of the exercise and urged the newly elected ward Executive officers to live up to expectations, expressing appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for his leadership of the State.
In Ika Local Government Area, the Congress at Achan Ward 2, witnessed massive turnout of party faithful as key stakeholders including the Transition Committee Chairman, Barr. Utibe Nwoko expressed delight at the peaceful conduct of the congress, and sued continued support for the ARISE Agenda programmes of the Umo Eno administration.
In Ito Ward 2, the exercise had key stakeholders of the ward in attendance, with Hon Otuekong Inyang thanking the party faithful for their proper conduct and commended the enviable leadership of leaders of the area.
Stakeholders from Essien Udim including the member representing the area in the State House of Assembly, Prince Ukpong Akpabio II, alongside those of Obot Akara among them Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Monday Ebong Uko, that of Ikot Ekpene, Mr. Jerry Otu who represented Ikot Ekpene State Constituency in the State House of Assembly and the Political Leader of the area, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien were on hand to mobilise the people for a peaceful and successful exercise.
In Ward 7 at Atan Offot, Uyo, Otuekong Prince Enobong Uwah, the Secretary to the State Government and political leader of Uyo Local Government Area, commended the residents of Uyo Federal Constituency for their peaceful conduct during the congress.
In Ward 9, Uyo Local Government Area, the Honourable Commissioner for Trade and Investment expressed gratitude to His Excellency, Pst. Umo Bassey Eno, for the peace and stability enjoyed by the people of Akwa Ibom. He highlighted the significant benefits that Ward 9 has gained from the congress, which led to the election of new party officers.
At Effiat Offot Primary School in Ward 8, the venue was filled to capacity with registered voters. The Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh KSJI, noted that the congress exemplified Akwa Ibom State as a model of peace and unity in Nigeria. He praised the exceptional leadership of Governor Umo Eno, who prioritizes unity and cooperation. “We are dedicated to maintaining our state’s role as a guiding light for others to emulate,” he said.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Enterprise Development, Mr Ime Uwah lauded party members in the ward for what he termed “peaceful and orderly exercise”, in Atan Offot, encouraging the members of the party in the ward to keep faith in Gov Umo Eno’s administration and support the ARISE Agenda of the Governor.
Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Mr Monday Eyo led other members of the party at the ward to attend the ward congress at St Joseph’s Primary School, Ikpa Road. Mr Idorenyin Effiong Sunday emerged as ward chairman, while Ifiok Edet Daniel was elected Secretary. In his remarks, leader of the ward and chairman LGSC, Mr Monday Eyo thanked fellow partymen for keeping faith with the pdp. He called for unity and loyalty even as the local government elections draws close.
In Eastern Nsit Ward 9, Member representing Uyo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Mark Esset was among party men who trooped out en masse to hold their ward congress. The congress was largely peaceful and proceeded without any rancor. Mr Moses Samuel Akpan-Ubo was elected ward chairman, Mrs Affiong Akpan was elected vice chairman, and Akwaowo Johnny Ukana emerged as secretary. Leader of the ward, Hon. Mark Esset charged the newly inaugurated Exco to be steadfast and remain loyal to the PDP. He commended the outgone Exco for a job well done, and donated the sum of one million naira to members of the defunct Exco.
In their separate remarks, former Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Glory Edet, who served as Secretary of Ini LGA Congress Committee, alongside Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong, Dr. Offiong Offor, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, scored the conduct of the exercise high, noting that it signified the continued strength, orderliness and peace in the party.
In Ikono LGA, the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Service Commission, Barr Goddy Umoh, the Secretary of Ikono LGA Congress Committee, Hon Itoro Columba and Sir Victor Etefia all commended the peaceful process of the election and pledged their continued loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party. Barr. Umoh and other leaders of Itak Ward 12 congratulated the newly elected Ward Chairman, Solomon Matthew Archibong, who pledged to lead the party at the ward level to greater heights.
In Udung Uko, the Transition Committee Chairman, Hon. (Elder) Godwin Okponung, joined the party faithful in his ward to take part in the exercise, charging them and the people of Udung Uko on the need to come together and work in unity for the progress of the area while emphasizing on the need for corporation in the area.
The Esit Eket PDP Chapter Chairman, Elder Eddy Etangkanga, held that the process through which all the newly ward Chairmen alongside other Executive members emerged was without any record of rancour, while commending the leadership of the party at all levels for demonstrating true leadership, noting that Esit Eket enjoys good political leadership with the likes of the political leader, Elder Ben Udobia and other stakeholders of the party who have invested in the party, progress and unity of the LGA.
Transition Chairmen in Ibiono Ibom, Mbo, Eket, Udung Uko and Uyo, Hon. NsikanAbasi Ukobot, Hon. Sunday Okon Etim, Hon. Akan Tommey, Hon. Godwin Okponung, and Dr Uwemedimo Udo, respectively, who spoke to Journalists, further affirmed that the Congress was very peaceful and smooth in their different local government areas.
Reacting to the outcome of the Ward Congress, Barrister Hassan Yakubu, a representative of the PDP at the national level, who was there to observe the exercise spoke of the credibility of the exercise, commending the peaceful conduct of the congress.
Members of the Electoral Panel from the National Headquarters who witnessed the Congress in Nsit Ubium include, Chairman, Barrister Yakubu Hassan; Secretary, Pastor (Mrs) Bisi Odunsi; Member, Barrister Karen Njoku; Member; Mr Chinedum Ikogwe; Electoral Assistant, Bayo Ogunlowo, and Electoral Assistant, Alfred Vasco Dauda.
TheWitness