2015: Ibom Consolidated Assembly adopts Helen Esuene

Mr. Nsima Ekere, former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State (right), with Senator Eme Ekaette (left), and Major-General Edet Akpan (middle), former Pro-Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Yola, after the funeral of Akpan’s elder brother, Chief Michael Adam Akpan,at Iwok, Nsit Atai, on Friday.

A socio-political group in the State, Ibom Consolidated Assembly has adopted Senator Helen Esuene as their sole candidate for the 2015 governorship election and have inducted her as the Grand Patron of the group. The group made it position known in Uyo last week during the formal inauguration of the national executives of the group which took place at Sheer Grace Centre, Uyo.

In his remark, the National coordinator of Ibom Consolidated Assembly (ICA), Ukogwo Utip Etiebet, said that the decision of the group to endorse and adopt Senator Esuene as their candidate come 2015 was informed by her sterling representation qualities at the National Assembly.

He described Senator Esuene as a goal-getter whose leadership profile speaks volume of her ability to lead the state and deliver more uncommon transformation, having served as both junior and senior minister of the federal republic of Nigeria with excellent records of performance.

He said that the ICA was formed in 2012 by a group of like-minded people with the vision of actively participating in the making of 2015 making; adding that projects started by Akpabio administration must be consolidated by the incoming administration to sustain uncommon developments in the State.

The coordinators called members of the group to have a reasoning that would enable them accept the responsibility of changing things for the better, and to also accept that there are rivers to cross and mountains to climb if they must succeed in making sure that Helen Esuene emerges the next governor of Akwa Ibom State.

He maintained that the state needs a Governor that would encourage citizens to reach the zenith of their potentials; a person unguided by political jobbers who will understand the real meaning of empowerment, job creation and local government autonomy.

In his opening address, the chairman on the occasion, Dr. Udeme Umoh, described the group as a new direction in the state politics which is different from what used to be. He stated that Senator Helen Esuene, if supported to emerge the next Governor will give Akwa Ibom a responsible leadership, adding that ICA will lead the State to its destined paradise. 

Also speaking, the planning committee Chairman, Mr. Imo-owo Udobia, said that the ICA emerged as a paradigm shift to generate and participate in a convincing discuss of the 2015 transition, maintaining that the group is run by reputable individuals and professionals.

In her response, Senator Helen Esuene thanked the group for the honour and described them as serious people who know what they want and where they want to be. She added that the group is not a fan-fair group but that which understand the dynamics of Nigeria and want things to happen different from what it has always been.

Senator Esuene while accepting the governorship candidate and office of the group’s grand patron maintained that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria from the national assembly which is the symbol of democracy. She stressed that rulership is not a gender issue and called on the people to use the past activities and records of aspirants to determine their effectiveness and ability to deliver in their future aspirations. 

According to her, “if you could not do it in the past, you cannot do it now. That is what you use in judging people that will come to you and say I want to be governor”.

High point of the event was the inauguration of the ICA’s national executive and the induction of Senator Helen Esuene as ICA’s grand patron.