Newsfront Online …Telling the Public as it is
… Set up Strong, Powerful Political Structure
By Saviour Ekpe
As the 2023 gubernatorial election beckons in Nigeria, a socio-political group fronted by the people of Itu local government area under the aegis of Itu Peoples’ Forum have arisen in unison to ensure that they reclaim zoning mandate given to the area.
In a maiden meeting attended by about 95 per cent of its executive of 50 people was presided over by its chairman, Hon. Akanimoh Usanga thanked members for their show of solidarity explained that the organization is neither an affiliate nor an appendage of any political party but for the entire people of Itu local government area in particular and Akwa Ibom in general, irrespective of their political belief.
The chairman who took time to explain the essence of the forum among others to include the promotion of social, cultural and economic activities in Itu in particular and Nigeria in general; working vigorously towards inculcating in Itu people, the spirit of patriotism and nationalism; live in unity as one indivisible body with the generality of Akwa Ibomites residing at home and in the Diaspora as well as to live in complete peace and harmony with one another in a society devoid of inequality and injustice.
Hon. Usanga, a former legislator and former local government Chairmanship candidate assured all that the forum is not interested in any political party as the interest of every member should be on how to work towards the realization of governorship from Itu local government area irrespective of party affiliation, “most of us sited here came from different political parties. This is not important at this juncture, what is important is that all of us are from Itu local government area and governorship slot in 2023 is coming to Itu and we cannot toy with it because of a political party. It is not a party affair but a matter that concerns Itu. So you have been chosen by Divine providence, let us unite as one indivisible people and we will succeed”.
Many participants that spoke at the meeting and bared their minds on the way forward of the forum as well as how to strengthen the organization to have a formidable front. Among them were retired ASP Udoma Ekpenyong, East Itam Northern; Chief Eyo Adams, Itu-Oma; Mr. Ekpenyong Emiom, East Itam Sothern while Chief Umoren Akpakpan spoke on behalf of West Itam.
In the Forum’s information manual that was distributed among members and made available to Newsmen states the Forum’s aims and objective viz: to carefully and expertly educate and mobilize Itu People on the importance of sustainable development in Itu Local Government Area 2. To promote and encourage a smooth, stable and peaceful relationship between government at all level and Itu people 3. To unify entire Itu people notwithstanding their place of residence 4. To support and cooperate with the government in power to achieve the very best for the people 5. To encourage Itu indigenes to seek political offices both appointment and elected in all tiers of government 6. To support people with a genuine interest of the people to achieve their aspirations 7. To reorient people’s mind on the effect of tribal and sectional disparity and stamp out same in Itu Local Government Area 8. To ensure that our practice is democratic through fairness both in wealth distribution, elections and other democratic principle and 9. To organized, mobilized and to use local, human and natural resources for the overall interest of Itu people and for socio-economic development of Akwa Ibom State.
The pioneer Executive members of the Forum include Hon. Akanimoh Usanga, Chairman; Elder Asuquo Ekanem, Dep. Chairman; Engr. Anthony James, Secretary-General, Mr. Ekpenyong Emion, Assistant Secretary; Prince Ita Ntukidem, Treasurer; Mr. Emmanuel S. Udoh, Asst. Treasurer; Mr. Anthony Edem, Dir. Contact & mobilization; Mr. Isaiah A. Udoh Asst. Dir. Contact & Mobilization; Mr. Enwonoabasi Ituen, P.R.O.; Mr. Akpan Jacob, Asst. P.R.O; ACP Udoma Ekpenyong, Chief Security Officer (CSO); Mr. Ability Emah, Asst. CSO; Mr. Daniel Asuquo, Asst. Dir. Media; Mr. Udeme Etuk, Financial Secretary; Hon. Nicholas Effiong, Asst. Fin. Sect.; Mr. Emem Okon Essien, Organizing Sect.; Akp. Ibanga Nsubong, Asst. Org. Sect.; Mr. Etim Jame Effeh, Dir. Logistics; Chief Eyo Adams, Asst. Dir. Logistics; Mr. Umoren Akpakpan, Welfare Officer; Mr. Edet Offiong Akpanedet, Asst. Welfare officer; Princess Aniema Uboh, Woman Leader and Mrs. Eno Udok Iwatt, Asst. Woman Leader. Others are Hon. Okon Etim Okon, Dir. of Sport & Socials; Mr. Edwin R. Sunday, Asst. Dir. of Sport & Socials; Mr. Utibe Effiong Okon, Dir. Student affairs; Asuquo Eyo Eniang, Asst. Dir. Student Affairs; Mr. Akan Ime Udoh, Youth Leader; Mr. Abel Akpan, Asst. Youth Leader; Mr. Edet Udofia, Dir. Chieftaincy & Culture; Kennedy Ekong Edet, Dep. Dir. Chieftaincy Affairs; Hon. Mfon James, Dir. Intra-Party Affairs; Mr. Joseph Ekwan Dep. Dir. Inter-Party Affairs; Mr. Emmanuel E. Obot, Dir. Protocol; Mr. Ifiok Okon Nyong, Asst. Dir. Protocol; Hon. Jonah Eyibio, Dir. Legislative Affairs; Hon. Essien Etukudoh, Dep. Dir. Legislative Affairs; Mr. Michael Uduongo, Auditor General; Mr. Nsikan Etim Edem, Asst. Auditor; Mr. Jeremiah Emah, Dir. Inter-Party Affairs; Mr. Eyibio Etim Okon, Provost Gen.; Barr. Eddie Ntukidem, Legal Adviser; Hon. Bernard Ekpenyong, Asst. Legal Adviser; Rev. Armstrong, Clergy; Mr. Solomon Nteh, Asst. Clergy; Mrs. Margaret Archibong, Dir. Economic Affairs and Mr. Pius Obot, Dep. Dir. Economic Affairs.
