A’Ibom LG Polls 2024: Essien Udim PDP inaugurates Campaign Council
…Says support, solidarity of all past LG Chairmen, Essien Udim people, his greatest asset
As the countdown to the October 5, 2024 Local government election in Akwa Ibom State draws near, the Essien Udim Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has inaugurated the EnoAbasi 2024 Campaign Organization, with a mandate to mobilize, galvanize and midwife the victory of the PDP Chairmanship candidate, Engr Enobong Patrick and his Vice, Mrs Susana Nyoyoko as the next Chairman and Vice Chairman of Essien Udim LGA respectively and all PDP Councillorship candidates in the 13 Wards of the local government area.
The inauguration which took place on Monday, September 9, 2024, at the Essien Udim Local Government Council Hall, Afaha Ikot Ebak, saw the swearing in of members of the Local Organizing Committee which include; Sir Sunyiekekere Inokon -Chairman, Prince Ukpong Akpabio II – Secretary, with Engr Oliver Ebong, Commissioner for Power, Engr Camillius Umoh, Atuekong Barr Martins Umana KSJI, Hon Aniekan Okon Akpan and Mrs Cecilia Obot as members.
The Central Campaign Council has Obong Michael Afangideh OON as Grand Patron, Obonganwan Theresa Afangide -Grand Matron, Prince Ukpong Akpabio II – Coordinator of Campaigns, Atuekong Barr. Martins Umanah KSJI – Director General of Campaigns, Elder Emmanuel Useh – Deputy Coordinator of Campaigns, and Mr Martin Inyangetoh- Secretary General of Campaigns, the Transition Chairman of Essien Udim, Dr Anthony Luke, Rt Hon Nse Ntuen, Hon. Esse Umoh, the PDP Chapter Chairman elect- Hon Polycarp Umoh, Barr Imowo Okpokpo, Obong Nsini Umana and others as members.
13 Ward Coordinators were also inaugurated. They are Rev Ubon Usoro – Adiasim, Hon Ndifreke Ikpaetor- Afaha 1, Barr Imo Umossoh – Afaha 2, Mr Friday Michael – Ekpenyong 1, Imo Michael – Ekpenyong 2, Hon Imo Asuquo – Ikpe, Surv Uduak Nathan – Odoro Ikot 1, Mr Sunny Idiong – Odoro Ikot 2, Itoro Columbus – Okon, Hon Uduakobong Umoh – Ukana East 1, Prince Sunday Udioko – Ukana East 2, Raphael Ntuk – Ukana West 1, and Rev Nsikak Akpan – Ukana West 2.
Heads of 16 directorates were also inaugurated for effective and efficient planning. They are the directorate of Finance, Research and Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Contact and Mobilization, Logistics and General Services, Legal Services and Due Process, Welfare and Entertainment, Venue, Protocol Services, Security and Intelligence, Women and Youth Affairs, Medical Services, Ecumenical, Media and Student Affairs.
Addressing the gathering, the PDP Chairmanship candidate, Engr Enobong Patrick, flanked by his Vice Chairmanship candidate, Mrs Susana Nyoyoko, pledged to justify the confidence of Essien Udim people, by delivering dividends of democracy to all, and leave lasting legacies as a testament of his service to the people.
He paid tributes to Governor Umo Eno for his love and magnanimity which led to the zoning that favoured him and commended the effort of the Transition Chairman, Dr Anthony Luke, whom he said is a pace setter for his role and restoring peace and security in the area.
Engr Patrick promised to consolidate on the achievements of all past Chairmen, assuring the people of his determination to key into the Rural Development Arise Agenda policy of Governor Umo Eno.
According to Engr Patrick, his administration will emulate the Governor by embarking on aggressive commercial agriculture to ensure food security and sufficiency, describing as shameful, the present situation where Essien Udim people have to import garri from Akampa in Cross River state when hundreds of hectares of fertile land are in abundance in the area.
He assured that his blueprint as contained in his Manifesto, is his covenant with the people, submitting that he remains committed to fulfilling his campaign promises especially on infrastructural development and maintenance.
He called on all eligible voters to commence mass mobilization and enlightenment towards ensuring the victory of all PDP candidates in Essien Udim come October 5, 2024.
On his part, the Transition Chairman, Dr Anthony Luke, congratulated Engr Enobong Patrick on his emergence as the PDP Chairmanship candidate and his successor-in-waiting, and thanked the Governor for insisting on zoning of the seat to Essien Annang bloc. He stated that zoning the seat to Essien Annang was fair and morally just, promising to deliver the entire Okon Ward to the PDP come October 5, 2024.
Also speaking, the member representing Essien Udim State Constituency, Prince Ukpong Akpabio II, assured Engr Patrick of the support and solidarity of Essien Udim people, submitting that with all past local government chairmen on his side, victory is assured and he has a think tank of experienced mentors to seek counsel.
“As Chairman, I assure you on behalf of Essien Udim people that we will give you peace and unity. Your job is to give us prosperity and economic development in return”, he stated.
In his acceptance speech, the Director General, EnoAbasi Campaign Organisation and pioneer PDP Chairman of Essien Udim LGA, Atuekong Barr Martins Umanah, promised to lead the PDP to a landslide victory come October 5, 2024, and called on all eligible voters to vote massively for Engr Enobong Patrick to emerge as the next Chairman of Essien Udim LGA.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Political Leader of Essien Udim, Obong M. A. Afangideh, OON, former member representing Essien Udim State Constituency, Hon Barr Esse Umoh, PDP Chapter Chairman, Hon Cyril Udoh, the Chairman on the occasion and two time Chairman of Essien Udim, Rt Hon Nse Ntuen, the LOC Chairman and former member House of Representatives, Sir Sunyiekekere Inokon, the Dean of Youths, Hon Christopher Edemekong.
Highpoint of the event was the defection of former YPP and APC members back to the PDP. They were led by the 2023 YPP House of Assembly candidate, Barr Abom Ephraim Okon, who pledged his support to Governor Umo Eno, Engr Enobong Patrick and the PDP.
