Akwa Ibom Governor-elect, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno and the Deputy Governor-elect, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, were, on Thursday, presented with Certificates of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Both are members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while the outgoing governor is also a PDP member.
The 26 members-elect of the yet-to-be inaugurated Akwa Ibom House of Assembly equally got their Certificates of Return at INEC head office, Udo Udoma Avenue in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
While the 24 elected are PDP members, the remaining two are Young Progressives Party (YPP) members, showing that PDP has formed majority in the forthcoming 8th house.
The returning members in the house are Udeme Otong, (PDP) – Abak; Mfon Idung (PDP) – Etim Ekpo/Ika; Kufre Edidem (PDP) – Itu; Effiong Johnson (PDP) – Mbo; Otobong Bob (PDP) – Nsit Ubium and Asuquo Udo (YPP), Ikono.
The 16 new lawmakers-elect include Nsidibe Akata (PDP) – Eket; Uduak Ekpo-Ufot (PDP) – Etinan; Ubong Attah (PDP) – Ibesikpo Asutan; Moses Essien (YPP) – Ibiono Ibom; Jerry Otu (PDP) – Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara; Lawrence Udoide (PDP) – Ini; and Uwem Imoh-Ita (PDP) – Mkpat Enin.
Others are Aniefiok Attah (PDP) – Nsit Atai; Eric Akpan (PDP) – Nsit Ibom; Bassey Bassey (PDP) – Okobo; Sunday Johnny (PDP) – Onna; Sampson Idiong (PDP) – Oruk Anam; Emem Udom (PDP) – Ukanafun; Ukpong Akpabio (PDP) – Essien Udim; Udobia Udo (PDP) – Esit Eket/ Ibeno; Uwemedimo Asuquo (PDP) – Uyo.
The four female members- Itoro Etim – Uruan State Constituency; Selina Ukpatuk – Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo; Precious Selong – Urue Offong/Oruko and Kenim Onofiok – Oron/Udung Uko, were elected under the PDP platform.
At the well-attended event, the Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Cyril Omoregbe, also a legal practitioner, said the elections were properly conducted, describing anyone who claims the election was not credible as a liar.
Responding, Pastor Eno, the Governor-Elect dedicated his victory at the polls to God, and thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel and Dr. Martha Emmanuel for their support.
Eno enjoined other contenders in the keenly contested election to sheathe their swords, but join him in the task of building a better Akwa Ibom.
Senator Eyakenyi accompanied the incoming Governor to show their Certificates to Governor Udom Emmanuel who is also the PDP leader in the state; ex-Akwa Ibom governor, Obong Victor Attah and the retired Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Mbang.
He later visited his hometown- Ikot Ekpene Udo in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area- for a grand reception in what climaxed as happy hour featuring some gospel music stars.
Feelers on emerging Akwa Ibom House of Assembly Speaker
The Governor-elect of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, a PDP candidate, is from Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, while the Deputy Governor-elect, Akon Eyakenyi is from Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.
Based on previous arrangements, the next speaker of the State Assembly would likely come from Akwa Ibom North-West (Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District).
The district would have three ranking members in June when the new Assembly is inaugurated – two from the PDP, Messrs Otong (Abak State Constituency) and Idung (Etim Ekpo/ Ika State Constituency), and Mr Udo (Ikono State Constituency) who is of the opposition YPP.
The two ranking PDP members- Otong and Idung – are favourites for the position of the speaker in the next assembly.
New Secretary to the State Government
Based on the political zoning, a new Secretary to the State Government may likely come from Uyo and Ibiono Ibom political blocs. Already, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey from Uruan political bloc is a Senator-elect thus foreclosing the possibility of the area producing the SSG.
The outgoing SSG comes from Mbo which is from Oron [political bloc.
Straightnews online gathered that Enobong Uwah, Charles Udoh, and Ini Ememobong, among others are peddled as likely appointees.
