Aniefiok Christopher
The Akwa Ibom State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has concluded nomination of its 31 Chairmanship and 368 councillorship candidates preparatory for the forthcoming local government elections in the state on October 5, 2024.
Prominent leaders and stakeholders of the party described the nomination exercise held on Saturday across the state as the most peaceful, fair and credible.
Speaking in his hometown, Nsit Ubium local government area after the party primaries, the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno attributed the success of the exercise to the peaceful disposition of Akwa Ibom people.
Eno who specially appreciated the citizens for maintaining the existing peace in the state during this period where several parts of the country were enmeshed in violence amid the ongoing nationwide protest, reiterated his commitment to implement more welfare packages for the youths.
He congratulated all the Chairmanship candidates and all the Councillorship candidates of the party, urging them to be ready to work hard and to contribute towards driving the community development efforts encapsulated in his ARISE Agenda.
Speaking in Oron Local Government Area, the deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, expressed excitement that the PDP demonstrated good example by conducting orderly and peaceful primaries to nominate her candidates for the forthcoming local government poll.
Eyakenyi stressed that Governor Umo Eno’s administration was a shinning example of good conduct which has easily spread to every part of the State.
In Ikot Akpa Nkuk, Ukanafun Local government Headquarters, the State PDP Chairman, Elder Aniekan Akpan, who witnessed the nomination of the Chairmanship candidate, Uyo Ukpanah, thanked the delegates and party faithful for the success, restating the party’s readiness to win at the polls and to continue to deliver good governance to the people.
Also in Abak Local government, the party delegates converged at the Independence Hall, Abak, to elect Mrs Ime Charles Effiong as the party Chairmanship candidate.
In his Uyo Ward 7, Uyo Local government area, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prince Enobong Uwah, joined other party faithful in the area to vote in affirmation of their preferred Councillorship candidate, Mr Uduakabasi Sunday Dan.
Also, Dr Uwemedimoh Udo and incumbent Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area, emerged Chairmanship candidate of the PDP.
Prince Uwah and the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Civil Service Commission, Hon. Monday Eyo, in their separate interviews, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the exercise.
Uwah lauded the leadership of the PDP in the state for effective leadership and proper organization, noting that his ward was the first to benefit from the current administration’ being that he was the first to be appointed by governor Eno.
For Itu Local Government Area nominations, the Deputy Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Kufreabasi Edidem, appreciated the leader of the party in the state for the steps taken to ensure the party primaries across the state were peaceful and orderly.
From Utu Etim Ekpo, Etim Ekpo Local Government Headquarters, Mr. Gideon Uwa was nominated as the Chairmanship candidate for the area. Former National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem (SAN) commended the PDP faithful for their orderliness throughout the exercise.
Enoidem urged Akwa Ibom people to continue to keep faith with the PDP, stressing, “The PDP is the hope for good governance for Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria in general.”
In the same vein, Mr. Utibe Nwoko who is the Transition Chairman for Ika from December 7, 2023 till date was duly nominated as the Chairmanship Candidate for the area. His brother who is also the political leader of the area, Mr. Uwemedimoh Nwoko, SAN, thanked the party leaders and members for nominating Utibe for the office.
Also, Mr. Aniefiok Nkom, the immediate past Commissioner for Labour and Manpower Planning, emerged the Chairmanship candidate for Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
Straightnews gathered too that Hon. Uno Etim Uno, the immediate past Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, was nominated as the Chairmanship candidate for Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Area.
On his part, the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Ini Ememobong, while speaking at Oko Ita, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Headquarters, shortly after Comrade Asuakak Umoh was declared the Chairmanship candidate, said that the people of Ibiono Ibom assured that the people would remain supportive of Governor Umo Eno and the ARISE Agenda.
In Eket LGA, the incumbent Council Chairman, Hon Akan Tommey emerged as the Chairmanship candidate, while in Ini LGA where Comrade Inibehe Umah was nominated Chairmanship candidate.
Speaking after the exercise, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor expressed delight at the peaceful conduct of the exercise and advised all the candidates not to disappoint the confidence reposed on him by the people of Ini.
For Ikono local government area, the Chairmanship candidate, Engr Otobong Essien assured the people of quality representation, while also extolling Governor Umo Eno for being gender-sensitive.
Similarly, Essien Udim Local government, the Chairmanship candidate, Engr Enobong Patrick thanked God for his nomination and appreciated the Governor for his peaceful disposition to politics and governance.
In Udung Uko LGA, the consensus candidate for the chairmanship ticket, Elder Godwin Okponung, emphasized his commitment to service and the sustenance of peace, and pledged to undertake extensive developmental projects in line with the ARISE Agenda.
AKISIEC Releases election timetable
Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) has released election timetable for political parties in the state. Primaries hold from July 22nd to August 26th 2024 while commencement of campaigns is on August 26 among other activities.
Already, portal for ad-hoc staffers’ application on AKISIEC website was opened on Thursday, July 25 to close on August 9. Interested applicants are sought for various ad-hoc positions.
Akwa Ibom has scheduled October 26, 2024 for elections into the 31 local government councils in the state.
It is understood that the elected council chairmen will be sworn in by the Governor Umo Eno on December 7 in compliance with the electoral plan of the state.
