….Gov Eno  hails large turnout, peaceful congress

By Egufe Yafuborghi, Chioma Onuegbu Uyo

THE Akwa Ibom State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has successfully elected 368 ward executives during the Congress held nationwide on Saturday July, 27, 2024.

 This is as prominent leaders and stakeholders of the party, including the governor, Pastor Umo Eno expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the congress.

Some of them who spoke in their respective wards, attributed the huge success of the ward congress, to Akwa Ibom PDP’s readiness to participate in its forthcoming local government elections.

The State governor Umo Eno particularly expressed happiness that the turnout of party members in their wards was impressive and peaceful, and urged them to remain dedicated and committed to the PDP.

 Eno while addressing newsmen in his  Ibiakpan Obotim Ward 2, Nsit Ubium, Local Government Area shortly after the exercise, affirmed, “From the report we have received across the state, Congress went well and all the party guidelines and principles were observed.

“We have our party representatives from Abuja, independent observers, as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) around. So all the requirements were met. It’s been a very peaceful congress and we trust God that this is how it will continue,”

The State Chairman of the Party, Elder Aniekan Akpan, corroborated the governor’s position that the exercise was peaceful and smooth in the entire state following reports from Returning Officers(ROs).

On her part , the deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi,  lauded members of PDP in Oron local government area expressed delight that every member was given a sense of belonging as reflected in the massive show of support at the Congress.

Similarly,  in his brief remarks, Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong affirmed that the outcome of the PDP Congress  was a confirmation that the PDP was still in control in the state.

Another prominent PDP stakeholder and political leader of Uyo (Akwa Ibom Northeast) Senatorial District, Senator Effiong Bob, while reacting in his Ubium North Ward 3, noted that the successful Congress was in fulfilment of PDP’s avowed commitment to upholding the tenets of democracy.

“I congratulate the new Ward Executives of our party, and I call on them to always put the interest of the Party first. I also solicit the continued support of party faithful in Nsit Ubium local government area. We must remain strong and united”, Senator Bob appealed.

In Etinan Local Government, where the  Lawmaker representing Etinan/Nsit Ubium/Nsit Ibom Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, newsmen observed that the Congress was peaceful in Etinan South Ward 2, Etinan Urban Ward 1, and Northern Iman Ward 1, among others.

At Effiat Offot Primary School in Ward 8,  as well as ward 9 in Uyo local government area newsmen who monitored the exercise observed high turn out of voters.

Reacting to conduct of the exercise in his ward, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Charles Udoh, asserted, “I applaud the exceptional leadership of Governor Umo Eno, who prioritizes unity and cooperation. We are dedicated to maintaining our state’s role as a guiding light for others to emulate,”

At Eastern Nsit Ward 9, Mr Moses Akpan-Ubo was elected ward chairman, while Mrs Affiong Akpan, and Akwaowo Johnny Ukana  emerged  vice chairman and Secretary, respectively.

In their separate remarks, former Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Glory Edet, who served as Secretary of Ini LGA Congress Committee, alongside Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong, Dr. Offiong Offor, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, scored the conduct of the exercise high, noting that it signified the continued strength, orderliness and peace in the party.

Other local government areas that the  PDP ward congress was conducted peacefully and smoothly were Ini, Ikono, Udung Uko, and Esit Eket local government areas.

Reacting to the outcome of the Ward Congress, Barrister Hassan Yakubu, a representative of the PDP at the national level, who was there to observe the exercise spoke of the credibility of the exercise, commending the peaceful conduct of the congress.

Members of the Electoral Panel from the National Headquarters who witnessed the Congress in Nsit Ubium were, Chairman, Barrister Yakubu Hassan; Secretary, Pastor (Mrs) Bisi Odunsi; Member, Barrister Karen Njoku; Member; Mr Chinedum Ikogwe; Electoral Assistant, Bayo Ogunlowo, and Electoral Assistant, Alfred Vasco Dauda.