March 03, (THEWILL) – The International Coordinator, Uyo Senatorial District Women Forum (USDWF) ,Rt. Hon. Ekaete Ebong Okon has urged the women of Akwa Ibom state to throw their weight behind the completion agenda and succession plan of the state Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, as 2023 draws near.
Speaking during the monthly rally of the forum, held at the council hall of Nsit Ibom local government area, on Thursday, Hon. Okon said that as the leader of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and the state in general, no one can fault the vision of the governor adding that God recognizes him before any other individual, as far as Akwa Ibom state is concerned.
“The governor and the wife are our leaders in our party the PDP and the state. We have been praying for a good person to succeed Udom Emmanuel as the governor in 2023. The governor too was praying; if he tells us that God has shown him a successor, I cannot doubt him because I know that God honours him as leader.
“I will not tell you not to come out and contest as the Governor of the state. If God has called you, you are very free to come out. All what I will tell you is; get ready with your voters card, do your electronic party registration, with that, your voice will count in 2023 general elections,” The lawmaker maintained.
She however recalled the numerous benefits the forum had gained from the administration of Udom Emmanuel in the state, as well as the shelter for hope and uncountable projects of FEYREP, the pet project of the first lady, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, which are all targeted at empowering the women in the state.
Ebong who is a former two term House of Assembly Member, who represented Itu state constituency, reasoned that it was impossible for Governor Emmanuel who has had the interest of women at heart for the past seven years on the saddle to bring an untrusted person to succeed him.
The former lawmaker, who doubles as the chairman, State Secondary Education Board, called on the women in the state to ensure proper party and voters registration as required by Independent National Electrical Commission (INEC) to give them legibility and make their votes count as the 2023 general elections approaches.
Expressing appreciation to the women, especially those from Uyo Senatorial District for making time to attend the rally in other LGAs, earlier held, Hon. Okon appealed to them to promote peace, especially among fellow women in the forum to live as example to youths in the state, during the electioneering process.
In her welcome address, the wife of the council chairman, Mrs. Nsikak Akpan, stated that the meeting was primarily to inspire the women to attend greatness, noting she was doing all within her powers to ensure that the women of the council area who are predominantly farmers and traders are empowered to improve on their respective trades.
She however joined in drumming support for the governor’s succession plan, in the person of; Pastor Umo Eno.
The high point of the event was the vote of confidence passed on the Executive Members of the forum which four year tenure had elapsed since 12th April 2021 to continue till 12th April 2023.
Justifying the vote of confidence as passed, the forum’s legal adviser, Lady Barr. Stella Udo, said COVID-19 had disrupted the activities of the Hon. Ekaete Ebong Okon led executive hence the need for the extension.
The event also featured some empowerments to less previledged persons from Nsit Ibom Local government area, by the chairman’s wife, Mrs. Nsikak Akpan.
Attached: Picture of Mrs. Nsikak Akpan, giving a cash gift to an aged woman.
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