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The Itu Local Government Traditional Rulers’ Council, Akwa Ibom State has called on all indigenes of the area to register for the ongoing voters’ registration ahead of the 2019 election.
In a joint meeting of political stakeholders and palace council held at the palace of the paramount ruler at Ayadehe recently, it was gathered that the voting strength of the area has not been effectively harnessed as a result of poor turnout especially, in registration exercise of this nature, which adversely impede the development of the local government.
While addressing participants, the paramount ruler in council, His royal majesty, Edidem Edet Akpan Inyang reiterated that a community is mostly recognized in the political circle by their voting strength and population and that though Itu is highly populated, if they don’t come out enmasse for registration, it will not be documented to prove that its population is thick and demands from government may not be given due considerations as at when it should be.
He charged the indigenes to imbibe the ‘dakkada’ spirit of the state governor with the view to giving Itu people the voice that will be heard. Talking cognizance of how other communities strategies to have their indigenes registered, Edidem Inyang said that some Local Government would provide vehicles to convey people to registration units just to ensure that non is left behind, adding that awareness should be created in schools, especially in the senior classes where some students may have reached the age of voting to see the need to register and have their names documented.
He decried a situation where some politicians, especially those from Itu extractions would abandon their people after being voted into office and decided to go back to solicit for votes when they are aspiring for another political offices; thereby calling on political office holders in Itu to support the course of the voters’ registration in the local government through which development could reach the people.
He stressed on the need for people to take the voting registration exercise seriously, including national identity card registration as it does not only portray the population of the local government but that it is for the benefit of all as such cards would be needed in future for references.
In a bid to ensure that the meeting yield results, a committee on voters’ registration was set up comprising Hon. Bassey Mfon Awah as chairman, Mr. Lemmy Archibong secretary, Hon. Bassey Iniema, Hon. Victor Nyong among others as members to oversee the progress of the mobilization and report to the council. Village Heads were mandated to set up a similar committee in their respective villages which will make it easier to assist the indigenes in the course and report their challenges to the chairman of the committee for further action, while Prof. Usuah was to co-ordinate the activities of the committee. In his acceptance speech, the committee chairman, Hon. Awah promised to deliver as expected.
