2023 Guber: Ikot Ekpene Sen. Dist. Elders Back Umo Eno

February 25, 2022

Elders and political stakeholders in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District have harmoniously adopted commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno, as their sole candidate in the 2023 gubernatorial election in the state.

Senator Emmanuel Ibok-Essien, who moved the motion for the adoption during Pastor Eno’s consultation visit to the elders of the senatorial district on Thursday, February 24, 2022, assured Pastor Eno of the unwavering support of the elders before, during and after the elections.

“Once the elders of this senatorial district speak, we don’t go back on our words. As we have declared our support to you today, rest assured that we will stand by you to the end. Look at us; when we speak, you can take our words to the bank.

“If all of us seated here stand for you, who else can stop you? You will be the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State,” Ibok-Essien stated.

The elder statesman said that their supports were not fueled by sentiments or money, but by the conviction that Pastor Eno will make a good Governor.

Hon. Aniekan Umanah, member representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, who seconded the motion to adopt Pastor Eno as moved by Sen. Ibok-Essien, said Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District is usually the determiner of the outcome of elections in the state.

Earlier, Pastor Eno had pleaded with the elders to support his vision to stabilize the economy of the state, foster peace and bring about prosperity.

The lands commissioner mentioned, as part of measures put in place to ensure that the elderly in the state are carried along when he becomes governor, setting up of a Think Tank with elders as members, free health care and proper welfare for the elderly.

“I am not talking politics here. We will run a government where the elders will have a place. We will establish a Think Tank with the elders as members. The essence is to give them the platform to contribute their wealth of experience to growing the state,” he said.

Also Speaking, Director General of the Umo Eno Campaign team, Chief Assam Assam who disclosed that he has never seen a man who speaks with such extravagant level of sincerity and passion as Pastor Eno in his years in politics, described him as a man who thinks outside the box.

Chief Assam expressed optimism that Pastor Eno will raise the stakes higher for anyone who will succeed him after his 8 years tenure.

National Chairman of Maintain Peace Movement (MPM), Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem described the elders of the senatorial district as trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who have stood to defend the party since 1999.

He said “2019 was the most tempting time for PDP in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, but these elders overcame the temptation to divide the party. Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District has always been the backbone of PDP from history.”

Other speakers including former commissioner for finance and economic development in the state, Sir Sunday Udo Akpan, Ukanafun political leader, Rt. Hon. Eno Akpan and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District women leader, Obonganwan Abigail Anthony Akpan, pledged their support to Pastor Umo Eno.