APC Predicts Take Over Of Akwa Ibom As Diaspora Stalwart Donates Party Office
By Emmanuel Uffot
The State Party Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Mr Stephen NtukEkpo has said the party is set to wrest the political leadership of Akwa Ibom State from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party come the next round of national elections in 2027.
The declaration came when NtukEkpo as state chairman of the opposition APC, last Thursday, inaugurated a fully digitized Ward office at Ibiatuk, Mbiabong in Ibiono Ibom council area. The Ward 9 office in Ibiono Ibom Central, was donated to the opposition political party by a United States based stalwart, Dr. Marshall Umoren.
Represented by the reinstated Chapter Chairman of the party Elder Umo Ekop, the opposition party head said significant developments in party indicates of the vigorous determination of All Progressives Congress to weigh in and capture state power in the next election year. Describing the initiative of Dr. Umoren as an extraordinary step of an individual spirit rising up to speak in the interest of party; Mr. NtukEkpo has challenged other party faithful beyond Ibiono Ibom to equally rise to the enabling occasion.
Speaking before the handover of the Ward Office, Dr. Marshall Umoren who described himself as a medical professional with interest in politics, said the gift to the party while being selfless was initiated in the spirit of service to give the ruling national party a credible face and a befitting identity within the local political scene. He said with the initiative, many political hopefuls will register and be attracted to identify with the party; thus boosting its popularity, acceptability and spread among the people.
Dr. Umoren also pledged to assist 10 widows from each ward, and requested the Chapter Chairman to liase with each ward and forward the names to him.
Scores of speakers after speaker spoke glowingly of the single initiative while praising Dr. Umoren over the commendable step.
Speakers including erstwhile Chapter chairman of the party, Mr. Akan Ekanem, and a notable stalwart of the party in the area Dr. Victor Akan said the initiative while providing APC a clean shoulder to lean on and make the deserved difference, has equally challenged members to come together, build and unite the party, work with dedication and zest and exhibit a sense of astute service to enable it hit her desired levels of political success across the state.
Amidst a huge turn out which witnessed APC faithfuls drawn from across the Eleven Wards of the Council area, Chairman of the host Ward, Mr. Enobong Daniel said the whole event has put his home Ward among the top wards in country as it is presently second to none in the state history. Describing the donor as exhibiting the needed demonstrative style of transformational leadership, he urged others to emulate the good example.
In appreciation of the laudable gesture, the Chapter presented an Award of Excellence to Dr. Umoren.
Present at the event were party notables including Akparawa Okon Imeh, a former director of Protocol to the state, Obong Churchill Ekop, a veteran politician and retired teacher, Party Elders, respective Ward’s Chairmen, Ward Exco members , Youth leaders, Caucus members and Women leaders among scores of other political interests in the area.
