Newsfront Online …Telling the Public as it is
…Harps on total support from Itu to Pst Pastor Umo Eno
…As Stakeholders agree on formula to select Personal Assistants to the Governor across all Wards
Stakeholders drawn from the 11 Wards in Itu Local Government Area, converged to brainstorm on the way forward for the Local Government Area after the 2023 General elections. The event was organised by the Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Honourable KufreAbasi Edidem as a thank-you meeting to appreciate the Stakeholders for their unwavering and United support towards the victory of the Deputy Speaker as well as the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno and all the National Assembly Candidates of the PDP, took place yesterday at the Residence of former Governorship aspirant of the PDP, Mr. James Iniama.
Speaking at the event, Rt. Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem thanked the Stakeholders for their total support of the PDP during the elections, pointing out that he “could only be in one Unit during the election and could not have recorded the scores he had in the other Units without the Stakeholders.”
The Deputy Speaker said it became necessary to come back home and inform the Stakeholders that in addition to being their Legislative representative, he had also been made the Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. He called on them to join voices to thank the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno; the People’s Democratic Party Chairman, Rt. Hon. Elder Aniekan Akpan; the Party Elders and Stakeholders as well as his Distinguished Colleagues for making his emergence possible.
In his words; “You elected me to be your Lawmaker, however, through the benevolence of the State caucus of the Party led by our dear Governor Pastor Umo Eno, It was decided that I should be returned as the Deputy Speaker. Afterward, my colleagues also affirmed amongst themselves that I should be so elected. To this, I give God all the glory. Please help me thank our dear Governor, our State Party Chairman, Elders of the People’s Democratic Party and my Colleagues in the 8th Assembly for making the feat possible.”
The Lawmaker while emphasizing his dedication to delivering on his mandate for the benefit of all, sued for peace amongst all sons and Daughters of Itu, calling on everyone to bury their grievances and work in unity and love towards the betterment of the Local Government. “When a child is born, peace is birthed as brethren come together to celebrate that child putting away all their differences. It is my prayer that my emergence as the Deputy Speaker will bring peace to our Local Government, he said.
The second-term Parliamentarian further apologized to all who may have felt offended by him in the course of the elections, adding that “it was a season of enormous pressure and tension” while stressing that he had forgiven and bore absolutely no grudge against anyone who may have offended or worked against him during the period.
Praising the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, the Deputy Speaker said the current government “will be good for our people and the entire State.” He stated that in just a few weeks, the Governor had shown a high level of dedication to fostering peace, love and unity for the good of the State and called on all to stand firm in support of the A.R.I.S.E Agenda.
On what Itu was going to get in the government, the Deputy Speaker said, “We (Itu) must use our closeness to the Governor to attract both infrastructural developments and appointments to Itu.” He emphasized his readiness to give his full and immediate consent, support and recommendations to all good courses from Itu sons and daughters. The Deputy Speaker concluded by stating that all Stakeholders shall collectively work together to reach political decisions at the Wards and local government level on political issues.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Itu, Rt. Hon. Barr. Etetim Onuk congratulated the Deputy Speaker for his emergence and aligned with his call that all sons and daughters of Itu should come together in Unity. Barr. Onuk said that Itu sons and daughters must shun divisive tendencies, and come together for the good of the Local Government.
Meanwhile, Stakeholders unanimously adopted a template for the appointment of Personal Assistants to the Governor across all Wards in the Local Government, allocating over 35% percent to women. Party Ward Chairmen transparently picked randomly from a set of folded papers whether their representative was to be a man or woman and was further directed to go back to their Wards and decide on the choice of individuals in a transparent manner.
Other Dignitaries at the event included; immediate past Members representing Itu Ibiono Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Henry Archibong; Chapter Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Victor Okon; two-time Member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Dr. Mrs. Ekaette Ebong Okon; her successor, Hon. Prince Idongesit Ituen; Vice Chairman of Itu, Mrs. Emem Ekpanya; immediate past Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep SeaPort, Dr. Bassey Okon; immediate past S.A to the Governor on Public Affairs, Sir Raphael Edem; Mr. Gabriel Ukpe, former Governorship aspirant, Mr. Sampson Sidney, Director General of the Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey’s campaign, Obong Barr. Godwin Awah; former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Obongawan Grace Ekong, among others, while the event’s compere was the State Party Officer, Hon. Effiong Ebong.
