May 27, (THEWILL) – Critical stakeholders in Uyo Senatorial District have taken the lead by unanimously endorsing Umo Eno for a second term in office as Governor of Akwa Ibom State come 2027.
The political leaders, under the aegis of the Akwa Ibom North East Consultative Forum, the apex sociopolitical organisation in Uyo Senatorial District, revealed that the confidence vote in the Governor and endorsement for his mandatory seven more years, as the State Chief Executive, followed a thorough assessment of the governor’s performance in his first year in office.
According to them, this period has been marked by significant achievements across various sectors, with notable progress in education, agriculture, road infrastructure, youth development, healthcare, security, and many other areas as enshrined in the ARISE Agenda.
Leader of the Forum, who is also the Political Leader of Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Effiong Bob, while addressing the stakeholders and Newsmen, who converged on his Uyo abode on Monday, specifically eulogised Governor Umo Eno’s visionary leadership, his commitment to good governance, and his dedication to the welfare of Akwa Ibom people.
He emphasised that the Governor has earned the support of all citizens and residents, and therefore, will be re-elected, just like his predecessors – Obong Victor Attah, Chief Godswill Akpabio, and Mr Udom Emmanuel – who all served eight unbroken years as Governors.
“In the area of road infrastructure, numerous projects such as the newly inaugurated 3.3km Idua road, the intervention work at the collapsed area of Afia Nsit Road both in Eket, the just inaugurated 160m span Nto Ide Ikot Amba Bridge with 800m Approach road in Obot Akara, the newly commissioned Paul Ekpo Crescent, Emmanuel Ekon Avenue, Obot Emem Street, the commissioning of the reconstructed section of Atiku Abubakar road with walkways, drainage systems solar street lights, with flood control tunnel as well as the Afaha Ube Road, including the Akpan Andem Market in Uyo road, to mention but a few, are all eloquent testimonials to the Governor’s Midas touch in the area road infrastructure.
“In the area of Youth and Manpower development, the governor through the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre, trained and doled out seed capital to over 800 youths and entrepreneurs as a strategic attempt to fanning the embers of enterprise development. In Healthcare delivery, the governor has already built, and equipped new model healthcare centres and reconstructed existing ones, inaugurated them and handed these facilities to our people for us. In Security management, which is one of the pillars of his ARISE agenda, our visionary leader and Governor, apart from donating utility vehicles to security agencies in the state, has provided the needed support for these agencies to help maintain peace and security in our state. The Governor has also envisioned and launched the IBOM COMMUNITY watch to bolster the job done by existing security agencies.
“In Education, the reconstructed, remodelled and inaugurated Christ the King, and Ewet Primary Schools projects, the opening of the flagship Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre and constitution of the school’s Governing Council, the training of Principals of Public Secondary Schools by UK Education officials, frequent grants to students, donation of school uniforms and sandals to students, among others are some of the very strategic investments Pastor Umo Eno has made in this sector that has earned him the applause and admiration of all Akwa Ibomites.
“Today, the songs of mourning that were becoming permanent in the mouths of retirees in Akwa Ibom on account of the unsettled backlog of gratuities have been swiftly replaced with songs of thanksgiving and gratitude owing to the Governor’s swift intervention in clearing the backlog of these gratuities, the former member representing Nigeria in the ECOWAS parliament highlighted.
However, based on these achievements and more, the stakeholders, in a motion moved by Hon. Paul Ekpo, member representing Etinan/Nsit Ubium/Nsit Ibom Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, and seconded by Rt. Hon. Kufre Abasi Edidem, Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, passed a unanimous vote of confidence in Governor Umo Eno.
The stakeholders observed that Uyo Senatorial District has consistently demonstrated goodwill by supporting other senatorial districts in their rotational tenure as governor.
Emphasising the spirit of reciprocity, they asserted that it was now the turn of Uyo Senatorial District to receive support from other districts, assuring that the remaining seven years of Pastor Eno will be a period of unprecedented prosperity for Akwa Ibomites, marked by sustained transformation and development.
Meanwhile, the forum took the opportunity to applaud President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for their exemplary display of bipartisan cooperation and harmonious relationship with Governor Umo Eno, despite belonging to a different political party.
The Stakeholders noted that this remarkable collaboration will undoubtedly yield significant development and progress for both Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria, as a whole, setting a shining example of unity and productive governance.
The event was attended by a diverse range of prominent figures including Obong T.O. Akpan, Deputy Leader of the Akwa Ibom North East Consultative Forum; Obong (Dr) Ekaette Ebong Okon, Secretary General; Hon Lawrence Udosen, Deputy State Chairman of PDP and Rt Hon KufreAbasi Edidem, Deputy Speaker of AKHA.
Others include Obong Paul Ekpo, Member representing Etinan Federal Constituency; Barr Ime Okon, representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, Chairman of SUBEB; Rt Hon Anietie Etuk, Hon Ibanga Brownson; Rt Hon Otobong Bob, Deputy Leader of the State House of Assembly; and other members of AKHA from the district.
The list also included the Political Adviser of the Governor; Prince Godwin Ntukudeh, Administrative Secretary of the Forum; Chief P.J. Effiong, Chief of Staff to the Chairman of the forum; Isantim Kenneth Okon, wife of the former Governor; Mrs Funmi Idongesit Nkanga, former SSG; Obonganwan Grace Ekong, a renowned Estate Surveyor Obong James Iniama, Transition Chairmen from Uyo senatorial district; notable Board chairmen and SSAs from the district as well as critical stakeholders and elders of the party from the Uyo senatorial district, among others.
