Intellectual Think – Tank for Atiku ( ITTA) is the conglomeration of Intellectuals from diverse professions that came together as a mainstream broad-based unique socio- political support group to canvass and work for the actualisation of of the aspiration of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to be President of Nigeria.
It was the brainchild of his wife Chief Mrs Amina Titi Abubakar.
It has strong presence in all the 36 states populated by prominent and grassroot politicians with Abuja as the headquarters.
In Akwa Ibom State, ITTA which has been registered as a non- governmental socio- political group with Corporate Affairs Commission has Honourable Uyio Udosen as the State Coordinator. The astute grassroot politician and Elder Stateman is a man of many parts. A businessman, philanthropist, an Elder in the Church was not only the Pioneer House of Assembly member Representing his Ikot Abasi/ Eastern Obolo State Contituency under the Peoples Democratic Party in 1999 but had been the pioneer State Coordinator of Atiku Support group then known as South- South Alliance for Atiku before it metamorphose into Intellectual Think – Tank for Atiku, in this interview with Emmanuel Uffot, Journalist and Publicity Secretary of ITTA Akwa Ibom Chapter talked on the strength and structures of the Atiku Support group in Akwa Ibom transcending the State, local government areas and wards to work for the emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the President and his pedigree and experience which has put him in an advantage position over other presidential candidates.
He also spoke on Akwa Ibom at 35, the sterling performance of Governor Udom Emmanuel, his annointed successor Pastor Umo Eno, the poor performance of APC government and the deserving choice of Governor Emmanuel as Chairman Atiku Campaign Organisation.
Question: Can you give the background of ITTA, what are the aims and objectives of the group?
Udosen: ITTA in full is Intellectual Think – Tank for Atiku.
It is a socio- political group of Intellectuals of diverse professions that came together as the mainstream unique political based support group to work for the aspiration and emergence of His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar GCON.
ITTA was the brainchild of Her Excellency Chief Mrs Amina Titi Abubakar.
Like I said, the composition of the Atiku support group is drawn from diverse professionals and Intellectuals across mainstream political groups for Atiku.
We have strong presence in the 36 states of Nigeria with Abuja as the headquarters. ITTA like every non- governmental socio- political group was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in May 31, 2022 and we have our constitution. But it has been in existence since the era of our Party Presidential candidate as the Vice- President from 1999- 2007. And it later metamorphose into a very large support group for Atiku during his presidential aspiration. So it became necessary that we form a group as a Think – Tank.
In Akwa Ibom I was made the pioneer State Coordinator of the Group then known as South- South Alliance for Atiku before it metamorphose into ITTA. So we have been in existence for 21 years.
To recap, Intellectual Think- Tank for Atiku as the name implies, is a collection of Intellectuals that have come together to canvass for Atiku to emerge as the President of Nigeria. It is not just like the T- shirt and cap wearing group of guys jumping into buses hear and there. These are reputable grassroot people in the PDP. These are grassroot politicians that have made their names in politics. Political mobilisers, men with resources.
Question: As the State Coordinator of ITTA in Akwa Ibom State, how strong is the group on ground in the midst of other collegiate groups?
Udosen: Just like it has presence in all the 36 states and Abuja, ITTA in Akwa Ibom has structures in all the 31 local government areas of the state and wards made up of grassroot politicians. Our Secretariat is along Edet Akpan Avenue popularly known as 4- lane with our big banner having the pictures of our Presidential Atiku our Principal, Okowa, the Vice – Presidential Candidate and our governorship candidate Pastor Umo Eno.
In Akwa Ibom we have strong structures already on ground. We are driven by 5 units drivers.
We have the local government executives fully established, we have the Senatorial executives fully established, we have the state executives. All These units executives are headed by coordinators who coordinate the the group in their various wards and units. And then we have patrons and council of elders. These are reputable PDP Chieftains.
These are people that are already on ground ready to do what they know based, mobilising people, carrying the the message of Atiku for President to all the nooks and crannies of the state. Since it is a PDP affair, we are also going to work for our governorship candidate Pastor Umo Eno, that is why his picture is in our banner and all the candidates of PDP in Akwa Ibom ahead next year General Elections. Ofcourse you know since 1999, PDP has been ruling the state, it has become like a religion in Akwa Ibom State structures in wards and units of the 31 local government areas. So this has made our job easier delivering Atiku, Umo Eno and other candidates in February and March 2023 in Akwa Ibom State.
Question: Alhaji Abubakar, the current PDP Presidential Candidate has contested thrice for that position without making it, what would you say is his chance this time. What will be the different this time that you think will give him the advantage over other candidates ?
Udosen: The difference is the experience and tenacity. His track records. He was Vice- President for eight years from 1999 – 2007. While serving as Vice- President, you could recalled he headed the Economic Council and coordinated the landmark privatisation of some federal government owned firms then, breathing life into some ailing and non- profitable ones.
Even talking about how many times he has contested. How many times did Abraham Lincoln contested to be President of America. How many times did Chief Obafemi Awolowo contested to be President of Nigeria. How many times did Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe contested to be the President of Nigeria and even the current president Muhammadu Buhari.
So contesting before has given him that experience so that if voted into power, Nigerians would heave a sigh of relief. The older the wine the better the taste.
So Atiku is a grassroot politician, he has touch many lives in the course of been in government and outside as a successful businessman. He has visible projects and investments abound that have offered succour to thousands of Nigerians and others. He is a detrabilised philanthropist respected by the international community.
So we in ITTA will play our path joining with the PDP machinery to sell the candidacy of His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to Nigerians so that come February 2023, he will Coast home to victory. As a matter of fact, I am saying categorically that Atiku is going to be the next president of Nigeria.
Question: Akwa Ibom at 35, what would you assess the journey so far?
Udosen: Akwa Ibom at 35 is already a giant. Where in Akwa Ibom today do you not have government presence of life- touching projects and infrastructures. Is it the 10- lane Ring Road 3 named after first civilian Governor of then Cross River State Dr Clement Isong and first military administrator of Akwa Ibom State, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga.
During commissioning, a visiting governor remark that it was a Super Highway and one of its kind in the South- South. See the 21- storey Dakaddah Towers, first of its kind in the South – South zone. The International Airport, 5- Star Hotel with Golf Course, International Stadium, International Worship Centre which is cynosure of all eyes.
I must not fail to commend the efforts of past Governors in this journey of Akwa Ibom Statehood, especially Obong Victor whose dogged fight against the obnoxious onshore/ offshore dichotomy law which as a legislator then I also played a part led to the abrogation of that law and realisation of increase revenue through Resourse Control piloted by Obong Attah, laid the foundation for funds available for development which the Niger Delta States including Akwa Ibom are enjoying today.
Is it former governor Senator Godswill Akpabio, who also has legacies of development strides to point to. Today we have a financial expert who has implanted lasting legacies in industrialisation and infrastructural development across the state. Now he has brought a successor. An entrepreneur of repute, a God fearing man endored with humility and the people have accepted him notwithstanding pockets of dissenting voices which is expected and not new in our polity.
When you look at the pedigree of Umo Eno, the PDP governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom you will agree that he will be a worthy successor.
When we were living in Calabar then, we only had Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar, then Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt but before you know it there was Royalty Hotel that became the attraction.
I remember one time going into the hotel in Eket and he came to our table and politely asked whether we have been served , I did not even know he was the owner, such humility and now the hotel Is spreading and become a household name in Akwa Ibom and Nigeria.
I did not even know he is a Pastor. Can you imagine, a Pastor running a hotel that to some people connotes negativity, and then he is running it decently speaks volume what he will do when he comes in.
Don’t forget his nomination was a collective decision of key party chieftains across the Senatorial DIstricts of the state,Elder statesmen, ministers of faith, Royal fathers and key serving political office holders.
As we see a financial expert in person of Governor Emmanuel opening up industries across the state and infrastructures like eye- catching roads, we are going to see another phase in hospitality and tourism.
Akwa Ibom indeed when compared with contemporary like Katsina and even most older states has become a giant.
Question: Few months to end of his administration, how would you assess Governor Udom Emmanuel interms of delivering dividends of democracy to the people given the view by critics that he has not done enough ?
Udosen: Governor Udom like I said earlier has performed very well. He has used available resources accrued to the state judiciously in providing people- oriented projects. Good network of roads, healthcare, industries, agriculture among others.
You know in this our clime there is nothing you will do that people will not talk against you. It has become our unofficial tradition to pull down and tarnish the image of those in power especially the governors.
So not minding the view of critics like you pointed out, the Governor’s efforts in providing dividends of democracy in the last 7 years of his administration is very commendable.
Question : Governor Udom Emmanuel has been appointed the Chairman of Atiku Campaign Organisation, how do you react to that?
Udosen: Who the cap fits, let him wear it. The PDP and our Presidential Candidate in my view made a good choice. He has that pedigree. A good leader, principle, articulate and peace loving man. The people of Akwa Ibom State see the emergence of Governor Emmanuel as the Chairman of Atiku Campaign Organisation as well deserve. He has that leadership qualities to stir that ship to the desired destination which is Aso Rock next year. It is a good omen for our Principal Atiku Abubakar to okay the appointment of the Governor as the Chairman of his campaign organisation. I congratulate him and the PDP hierarchy for making that good choice.
Question: The APC government came with so much promise, 7 years down the line, how word you score the government of President Buhari?
Udosen : Scoring Buhari. I don’t have much to say about assessing this government of APC at the centre because there is no point over emphasing the glaring reality that Buhari government has failed woefully in many areas. How can a government let students and youths rot away at home for 7 months with no end in sight. It has never happened before in this country except during the period of war. How can under a government that mouthed change as their propaganda mantra cloth in fake promises, some states have been sacked by terrorists and bandits. Under a government, you cannot sleep with your two eyes closed. You cannot travel by road or train without fear of being attack or kidnap. Under a government N500 loaf of bread cannot feed two children. Under a government a dollar is changing for N700. It is has never been worse in the history of governance in Nigeria.
This APC government is a complete failure. Nigerians know that and will surely decide next year. Atiku will restore Nigeria to her glorious days.
Question: Who is Honourable Uyio Udosen?
Honourable Udosen in terms of politics, has been in politics since 1996. My first outing was during the era of NRC ( National Republican Congress). I contested and won the primaries to be the Chairman of my local government area, Ikot Abasi but I was told it was not the turn of my clan. That was during the era of late Obong Akpan Isemin.
Again during the period of NCPN, I came out while it was zoned to my clan, but the stakeholders told me to concede to a particular village. You know there is a very solid rotational structure in Ikot Abasi, I think the whole, that rotational policy has been in place.
So behold when in 1999 during the PDP era under Obong Attah, when I came out to contest for the State House of Assembly when it was our turn everybody supported me and I won as a Pioneer House of Assembly member Representing Ikot Abasi/ Eastern Obolo State Contituency under PDP from 1999 – 2003.In the House, I was appointed the Chairman House Committee on Public Utility and Rural Development and later Chairman House Committee on Tourism.
I have been in the party consistently since 1998 as the founding member without moving to another party. I only had a break from politics for two years when I had a near ghastly motor accident in 2011 which I almost lost my life. Two years after when I recovered, I joined Governor Udom Emmanuel Transformation Initiative, then headed by Akparawa Ephraim Inyang which was a Think- Tank platform for the current governor. Was the chairman of the Federal Constituency of that body championing the cause of the governor. I’m still waiting for my reward.
I am also a member of Ibom Patroits headed by Obong Bassey Inuayen and was involved as a member of the blueprint Committee involved in the running of government.
I am have been a successful businessman before I went into politics. I have touched the lives of my community, a philanthropist whose service to community is his priority. I’m still a political factor in my Ukpom Ette community in Ikot Abasi. An Elder Statesman and also an Elder in the Church. So that is who Honourable Udosen is in a nutshell.
