New leadership has emerged across all 31 Local Government Chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akwa Ibom State, our Correspondent, INIOBONG SUNDAY, who monitored the exercise reports from Uyo, the State capital.

Following the election of Chapter Executive Committee Members who will hold the reins of leadership of the PDP for a four-year tenure at the Local Government level across the State, the stage is now set for the big contest on Saturday, August 17, 2024, for the State Executive led by Elder Aniekan Akpan, to give way for the new State officers, it was learnt at the weekend.

At the Congress, a total of 18 Chapter Officers were elected in each Local Government, including one National Delegate per LGA bringing the total to 31 National Delegates as well as one Persons Living with Disabilities, PLWDs in each Local Government also bringing the total of PLWDs to Thirty-one across the State.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno was among eminent members of the Party elected as National Delegates at the Local Government Congress which held at the PDP chapter headquarters Nsit Ubium.

In his message of goodwill sent to all the Local Government Areas, and delivered by the elders and stakeholders of the party in the various domains, Akwa Ibom State Governor who is also the Leader of the PDP in the State, praised the unity of purpose and dogged resolve to victory that have remained as the defining traits of the PDP in the State, said the new officers elected must be prepared to work assiduously to steady the party on the path of successive electoral conquest in Akwa Ibom.

Addressing stakeholders and returning officers just before their departure to the various LGAs, Akwa Ibom State chairman of the PDP, Elder, Aniekan Akpan, reminded the stakeholders and elders of the need to elect officers who are ready to make the needed sacrifices of stewardship that will draw more faithful and supporters to the PDP in Akwa Ibom State.

The State PDP Chairman said “In this State, our Party, the PDP is privileged to stay as the most loved, and preferred Political Party for Akwa Ibom people. Therefore those who will elect must be persons who will adopt an altruistic disposition that will make millions of people continue to admire the PDP and choose us”.

The State Chairman later attended the Chapter Congress in Ukanafun where he congratulated the New Exco of the PDP in the Local Government Area.

Commenting on the peaceful nature of the exercise, the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, while congratulating the new chapter EXCO of the party in Abak, attributed the success of the exercise to the transparency and internal democracy in the party.

Speaking in Nsit Ubium, the Political Leader of Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Effiong Bob, commended the Congress delegates and congratulated the newly elected party EXCO in the area. 

In Uruan Local Government where the Senator representing Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Aniekan Bassey participated in the Congress, the exercise witnessed a large turn out, the Senate hailing the conduct of the congress and congratulated the new leader of PDP in Uruan chapter.

Former National Legal Adviser of the party, Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN, in Etim Ekpo, remarked that the exercise did not fail to meet the excellent expectations of the party, holding that it is another opportunity for the party in Etim Ekpo to increase the pace and root of PDP in the area, while staying true to support of Gov Eno.

In Itu Local Government Area, the Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Kufreabasi Edidem, noted that the elective congress was “seamless and rancor-free”, applauding the stakeholders of the party in Itu for the unity in producing the first ever female chairman of the party in Itu chapter, Mrs Inemesit Maxwell.

In Eket, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Frank Archibong, who was part of the congress said Eket has never failed the party and will never fail, as he congratulated the new EXCO of the party in Eket, urging then and party faithful to keep standing by Gov Eno as he delivers his policies and programmes through the ARISE Agenda.

Stakeholders of the party in Ibiono Ibom including former Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt Hon Ignatius Edet, immediate past state assembly member, Hon Godwin Ekpo, the State Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr Borono Bassey, among others, who met at Oko-Ita, also gave thumbs up on the emergence of the newly elected EXCO of PDP in the chapter led by Mr Unyime Leo, expressing delight that the seamless process goes to solidify the already stronghold of PDP in the area.

In Uyo the state capital, the chapter congress produced Hon. Anthony Ekong as chapter chairman, Mrs Elizabeth Utibe Ini as vice chairman, along with 16 other members to make up the chapter executive council.

Speaking at the end of the congress, the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Local Government Service Commission, Hon Monday Eyo, the Transition Committee Chairman of Uyo, Dr Uwemedimoh Udo and others, described the process as seamless and hitch-free, commending the state leadership of the PDP for their transparency and effectiveness, while lauding the Gov Eno for providing leadership and direction.

The Chapter Congress was also conducted in Ika Local Government Area where Elder Oyomo Oyomo emerged victorious as the Chapter Chairman alongside other Chapter officers. 

The Chairman of the Congress Committee in  Ika Local Government Area and immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN alongside key stakeholders of the area lauded the leadership disposition Governor Umo Eno in charting a developmental, peaceful and  enviable path for the party in  the State which has enhanced the smooth conduct of the Congress across the State.

It was no different in Etinan where the member representing Nsit Ubium/Nsit Ibom/Etinan Federal Constituency at the National assembly, Obong Paul Ekpo, alongside others stakeholders in the area, scored the party and Gov Umo Eno high in the conduct of the congress and the development in the state, particularly in Etinan, pledging the continued commitment of Etinan to remain supportive to the party and the governor.

In Nsit Atai, the returning officer, Mr Effiom Abai conducted the election process, at the end of which Pastor Ndifreke Ntia emerged as chapter chairman, Lady Eunice Oscar, woman leader, alongside 16 other exco members.

At the venue of the Congress for Mkpat Enin Local Government Chapter where Mr Isaiah Akpan emerged as Chapter Chairman, alongside other EXCO members, the senator representing Eket Senatorial District, Barr  Ekong Sampson, restated the position of the stakeholders and faithful of PDP in the area, harping on the need of Party faithful to remain relentless in entrenching the ideals of the party and working for greater success of the PDP.

Speaking at the end of the exercise, the member representing Uyo/Uruan/Ibesikpo Asutan/Nsit Atai Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Mark Esset charged the newly elected officials to remain loyal and bear true allegiance  to the democratic tenets of the PDP 

The congress in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA chapter of the PDP produced  Mr Nsikak Nkanga as chapter chairman, Lady Ime Orok as vice chairman, and Edidiong Effiong Ekong as Treasurer, among others.

Former member of the House of Representatives and Board of Trustees Member of PDP, Hon Pat  Ifon, Immediate Past Chapter chairmen of PDP in Esit Eket, Elder Eddy Etangkanga and his ONNA counterpart, Barr Ubong Adiakpan on their part lauded the leadership of the party in the State for conducting a peaceful chapter Congress.

In an interaction with newsmen after the exercise, Honorary Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative affairs, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko said he had confidence in the newly elected officials and was persuaded that they will take the party in the Local Government Area to enviable heights.

In their separate responses shortly after emerging victorious at the polls, newly elected Chapter Chairmen of the PDP in Ibiono Ibom Chapter, Hon. Unyime Leo, that of Uruefong/Oruko, Mr Tom Efombruh and the one of Uyo Chapter Mr Anthony Ekong thanked the delegates for the support and votes, pledging to hit the ground running in the task of working to deepen the footprints of electoral victories of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State.

The 5-Man Chapter Congress Electoral Committee for Akwa Ibom State sent in from the National Headquarters of the Party has Hon. Ene Ndubuisi David as Chairman while Hon. Emmanuel Ekpe is the Secretary.