Gov Umo Eno’s aide mobilizes defectors for PDP in Essien Udim
…Reassures defectors of full integration, calls for steadfastness, loyalty to Gov Eno, Party
As part of concerted effort by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno to reassure all defectors who returned to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Essien Udim LGA of full integration into the party, the PDP Chairmanship Candidate in the October 5, 2024 Local Government Election, Engr Enobong Patrick and the newly appointed Special Assistant to the Governor on Grassroot Mobilisation, Abom Dr Ephraim Okon, began a tour of the 13 Wards of Essien Udim Local Government Area.
The visit to the Wards, held at the instance of the Governor, was to reassured the defectors that despite the outcome of the just concluded election, they have been fully reintegrated into the party with full rights and privileges and will be carried along in the scheme of things in both the party and the government.
The visit saw the delegation visiting the 13 wards in Essien Udim where the Governor’s message was relayed to the defectors with words of appreciation for their love, support and solidarity to him and the party.
Addressing the meeting at each of the Ward visited, Engr Enobong Patrick thanked the returnees for their love and solidarity to him and their decision to stand firm and support the Governor and PDP.
He urged all of them to remain steadfast and resolute as PDP remains the party to beat in Essien Udim.
According to Engr Patrick, “Governor Umo Eno loves us so much in Essien Udim and he will continue to assist in solving our problems and carry us all along. He has started with the appointment of 11 Sons and Daughters of Essien Udim as his aides. I can assure you more are coming and you are all covered under the Arise Agenda of the Governor”.
He assured all defectors that they will be carried along and ensure they benefit maximally from all programmes and polices of his government under the Arise Agenda and charged them to be steadfast and believe in Governor who is and will always be a man of his word and a man of integrity.
He urged all defectors to channel all their issues to their respective Ward Leaders who will pass it on to the newly appointed SA to the Governor on Grassroot Mobilisation who will in turn pass on their request to the Governor as directed by the State Chief Executive
On his part, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Grassroot Mobilisation, Abom Dr Ephraim Okon who also doubles as the Governor’s Liaison between the Governor and Essien Udim defectors, thanked the people for their support to the PDP, and conveyed the Governor’s message to them, assuring that they will all be integrated under the umbrella party and carried along on all empowerment programmes of the government.
He commended them for the show of love and support they exhibited on October 5th, and solicited for more of such loyalty and faith in the Governor and the party come 2027.
According to Dr Okon, apart from delivering the Governor’s special message to the defectors, his appointment by Pastor Umo Eno underscores the sincerity of the Governor on his pledge not to abandon the defectors, promising that the meeting will be held regularly as a way of cementing the relationship between the Akwa Ibom State government and Essien Udim people.
He called on them to remain loyal, steadfast and committed to both the ideals of the PDP and the Governor’s Arise Agenda as their interest, hopes and aspirations are all protected under the umbrella party which the PDP represents.
The Odoro Ikot Ward 1 meeting was held at the residence of the Political Leader, Chief M. A. Afangideh, OON, Odoro Ikot 2 held theirs at the Ward Center, Ikot Okon/Ikot Idem, while the Political Leader of Okon, Barr Imo-Owo Okpokpo hosted the team at his residence.
Ekpenyong 1 took place at the residence of the Commissioner for Power, Hon Engr Cammilus Umoh, Hon Peter Isobara hosted the Ekpenyong 2 meeting while that of Afaha 2 took place at the residence of the Essien Udim Election LOC Chairman, Sir Sunyiekekere Inokon.
Day-2 of the Ward tour took the delegation to Ikpe, Ukana West 2, Ukana East 2 and Adiasim Wards.
The Adiasim converge took place at the country home of the Essien Udim PDP Deputy Caucus Leader who also doubles as the Adiasim Political Leader, Obong Engr Oliver Ebong, who thanked the Governor for his love for Adiasim people in particular and Essien Udim as a whole. He reiterated the resolve of Adiasim people to stand firm with the Governor come 2027 and beyond, stating that Adiasim remains a PDP stronghold.
According to Engr Ebong, the Governor’s delegation to Essien Udim PDP is a demonstration of the honesty, integrity and love Pastor Umo Eno has for Essien Udim people.
He thanked the Governor for the numerous appointments to Essien Udim people as his aides and for his special love for defectors who returned to the PDP and his directive that they must be fully integrated into the party and called on the defectors to remain faithful and loyal to the party and the Governor.
The Adiasim Political Leader said the Governor’s gesture have gone a long way to ensure the defectors do not regret returning to the umbrella party, and has reinvigorated the souls of PDP members in Essien Udim.
“You are in a very comfortable home. This umbrella can accommodate you and accommodate you comfortably”, he assured.
In Ikpe Ward, the Ward Leader, Obong Daniel Udoh and immediate past PDP Chapter Chairman, Hon Cyril Udoh, declared that the people of Ikpe are grateful for the gesture and appealed for the inclusion of Ikpe in the allocation of development projects by the Governor.
“I am proud to have won in Ikpe Ward. My impact and imprint must be felt in Ikpe so that you all will be proud of your support and votes for me and the PDP”, Engr Enobong Patrick assured.
In Ukana West 2, the Ward Leader, Hon Aniekan Okon Akpan, thanked the Governor for the gesture and assured both the Governor and the party of the total loyalty and support of the people of Ukana West 2.
Obong Hon Nsini Umanah who hosted the delegation as Ward Leader of Ukana East 1, thanked the Governor for the gesture, noting with delight that his decision to send emissaries to defectors who returned to the PDP has gone a long way to build confidence, restore hope and increase faith in the Governor and the PDP.
“We appreciate him for his development projects in all the Wards in Essien Udim and we won’t let him down”, he submitted.
Also speaking, a former Councilor, Hon Christopher Udoh, thanked the Governor for his proactiveness, stating that since the creation of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno is the most proactive Governor that accords people centered issues the fastest and greatest priority attention.
In Ukana East Ward 2, the Ward Leader and DG, EnoAbasi Campaign Organisation, Hon Barr Martins Umanah, thanked the Governor for his love for Essien Udim people as showcased in the appointments and ongoing projects in Essien Udim and pledged the continuous support and solidarity of Ukana East people to the Governor and PDP.
The tour ended on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, with a visit to Afaha Ward 1 and Ukana West 1, with the Afaha 1 meeting held at the residence of the Political Leader of Afaha Ward 1, Obong Cosmas Essien, who thanked the Governor for his good gesture towards the defectors and the party and assured the Governor of the resolve of Afaha people to stay firm, remain resolute and loyal to him and the PDP.
The Ukana West 1 converge took place at the residence of the Ward Leader, Hon John Udo, who thanked the Governor for his love for Essien Udim and pledged the continuous support of the people of the Ward.
He appreciated the Governor for his managerial ingenuity that has restored peace in Essien Udim and for rebuilding confidence and faith in his leadership in a way and manner that there is no victor or vanquish as far as the October 5, 2024 Local Government election in Essien Udim.
He assured the defectors that the umbrella is big enough to accommodate all of them but warned against disloyalty and inconsistency.
