Ikpoto Akwa Ibom, a socio political group in the state has inaugurated its ward and chapter executives for Etinan Federal Constituency with a call on members to stamp out violence and other social vices in the forth coming Gubernatorial and general elections in the state.
The three local Government Areas chapter coordinators that make up the federal constituency include; Pastor Ini Udo Ekwere, Etinan, Mr. Godwin Etukudo Okokon, Nsit Ubium and Hon. Effiong Sunday Udoakang, Nsit Ibom.
Performing the swearing in, the National Legal Adviser of the organization, Barr. Ndipmonguwem Umoh urged the executives and members to adhere to the tenets of the group.
He reminded them that their offices will be withdrawn from them if they found wanting or commit perjury. In his speech, the National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Nsima Uwak described the body as a socio political group aimed at reducing to the barest minimum the rate of violence and other social vices in election.
He expressed shock over the high level of bloodshed in 2011 election as reported in various media, pointing out that politics should not be so played. In order to ameliorate the rate of social vices, Mr. Nsima Uwak said that the group has so far organized seminars, congresses and has also identified with Non Governmental Organizations and peace loving members of the society.
He portrayed the group as Peoples Democratic Party inclined, stressing that; its membership is limited only to PDP faithful.
‘Our interest was premised on what we noticed in the last election, where brothers killed brothers, election materials were vandalized, personnel’s brutalized, where certain persons took the laws into their hands, where disunity was promoted to the extreme, so we came together and said we need to stamp out such politics in Akwa Ibom State, politics in Akwa Ibom State was not based on such premises, it was centered on ability to convince others with a superior argument, it was not based on killing, the likes of Late Etukudo Ekpro, Late Obot never played such politics. Theirs was interest motivated. Having seen the high rate of violence in 2011 election, we embarked on seminars, congresses, embarked on talks with NGOs so that subsequent elections will not witness such violence. This group is an interest driven group within the PDP and our members are drawn only within PDP, we want Akwa Ibom State to remain a PDP state’
While thanking the state governor for the various numerous developmental strides in the state, the national coordinator prayed for the state to always remain a PDP state.
He said that, the group decided to commence the inauguration in Etinan Federal Constituency in recognition of the various contributions the constituency has contributed to the emergence of governorship in the state.
He noted that, the area has been in the forefront of electing and producing the governor, recalling that, during the introduction of democracy in the state, the area single handedly produced the only two registered party candidates- Obong Akpan Isemin and Arc. Ekong Etuk.
‘This is the maiden edition of the inauguration. We decided to commence in Etinan Federal Constituency due to the role the area has played in the emergence of governorship and other political office holders since the creation of Akwa Ibom State. The constituency used to decide who will be what, that is why, during the first democratic elected process in the state, two sons of Iman emerged as candidate in the two only registered Party at that time’ he said.
The Uyo Senatorial District chairman of the body, Mr. Mike Akpan urged the members to collaborate and work together for the betterment of the group.
He expressed optimism that the group having link in all the 31 Local Government Areas in the state will a play vital role in the emergence of key political office holders in the forth coming election.
He likened the national coordinator to a great mobiliser, pointing out that he was quite impressed with the turn out and the membership strength of the group. Responding on behalf of the inductees, the Etinan chapter coordinator of the group, Pastor Ini Udo Ekwere pledged to reciprocate the confidence reposed in them.
He stressed that the group shall ensure that violence and other social vices are reduced to the barest minimum.
A former Minority leader in the state house of assembly, Hon. Umoh Etukudo thanked the group for the initiative and urged members to work for the betterment of the group.
He advised the electorate to fully participate in the forthcoming electioneering process in the state.
The epoch making event was attended by all the national executive members of the group.
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