Massive support as Eshiet Offiong storms Ukanafun on campaign

BY OFONIME UDOTU

The two axes of Ukanafun and Afaha spoke with one voice. Traditional rulers, party chieftains, youth and women groups insist that zoning is sacrosanct as it has never been compromised. They vowed it would not happen before their very eyes. All hailed the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate, Elder Eshiet Amos Offiong for the bold step he has taken to fight for the right of Ukanafun People who have suffered incredible neglect for a long time. In terms of infrastructure, most of the area he aspires to represent has not changed from the way their ancestors left behind several decades ago. This is the scenario that propels the candidate with “positive anger” to seek the mandate of the people to emancipate them from the pathetic and rustic situation.  

Speaking at Nkek Idim where Wards 4 and 5 received the APC candidate, a youth activist, Mr. Godwin Udom called on the jubilant crowd to give massive support to Offiong who has come to rescue the federal constituency from untold sufferings which have etched indelible scars on the lives of the people, adding that as a humble man whom he has known overtime there in not doubt that he would provide an inclusive and effective representation. Mr. Udom urged the people to vote against imposition which has no good prospect for the people of the federal constituency. He charged the people to imbibe change as the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has no plan for the common man, describing Offiong as a down–to-earth gentleman who understands and can alleviate poverty which has been a daily routine of the majority.

The APC chapter women leader, Jennifer Uduak Udo who is from Ward 4 pledged the support of the women who have been yearning for change, saying that the candidate faces no challenges in the ward which has suffered dehumanizing and self-centred leadership for a long time.

The State officer of APC in the area, Obong Friday Akpan said that positive change has come to put an end to selfish political representation that concentrates on empowerment of relatives with the mandate of the people. Obong Akpan advised the people to vote Offiong because he has the capacity and competence to deliver, just as his community service track record is an asset. The APC chieftain further stated that as an honest and God-fearing man he would consider the people first on the blueprint of development. He advised Afaha people not to allow the national assembly seat to slip off their hands, just as they did not allow the 2015 State Assembly slot to be taken away from them. He advised that they should not retreat in the struggle until the battle is won and lost, pointing out that those who want “to sell’ the federal house slot in the area to PDP do so to negotiate for selfish positions in government. He further explained that PDP as an unconscionable party with unresolved internal wrangling has offered nothing new in the last 16 years except tissues of lies. He called on the people to vote for APC from presidency to state assembly so that the desirable change can take place, urging Afaha People to do the needful for justice and fairness to prevail.

At Community Secondary School, Ntak Afaha where elated women and youth groups from wards 6 and 7 had welcome the House of Representatives candidate, a former chairman of Ukanafun LGA, Hon. Uduak Essien assured Offiong that the people had conceded to change by volunteering massive support to him, stressing that as a true son of Afaha the candidate has no challenges in sweeping the polls in the area.

The jubilant crowd of Ward 1, 2 and 3 who gave their candidate a colorful reception at Q.I.C central School, Ikot Akpa Nkuk did not resist the temptation of queuing behind the business magnate as the saviour who has come with the broom revolution to sanitize the system that is replete with unfulfilled promises and unrealized hopes. Speaker after speaker hampered on zoning and fairness as the basic building blocks for the peaceful co-existence of the federal constituency. They emphasized that the issue is not party but personality. They recalled how Hon. Ubong Etiebet enjoyed the support of Ukanafun in 2003 when the people voted against second term.

Speaking at Government Primary School, Afaha Obo, the immediate past deputy speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Obong Okon Uwah began his speech with what could be seen as a comic relief when he sang the signature jingle of APC in the state: “Sese mme angel ukpohore nkpo…” The former parliamentarian who is for state assembly seat on the platform of the party stated that circumstances have made change inevitable, especially as the interest of Afaha is at stake, maintaining that second term seekers should not count their chicks until they are hatched. He expressed the determination of Afaha people to ensure that interest of the people is not compromised. Obong Uwah said that APC is a party that has internal democracy and respects the views of its members. He charged the people to join the broom revolution that is going to sweep away the debris of the decadent system championed by the umbrella party; urging the people to give their support which he said is indispensable in view of the task ahead. Ward 9 APC chairman, David Sunday Udokang, Asuabiat Ezekiel Obot of ward 10 and the women leader of ward 9, Mrs. Patience Udo Joshua harped on the people’s commitment to deliver Offiong at the polls.     

At primary school, Ikot Effiong where the candidate hails from, the people of wards 8 and 11 received one of their own in high spirit as they praised him for his massive philanthropic outreach to the community. Eshiet Offiong Foundation, Nka Ikemesit Iban, Grassroots Democratic Initiative, Southern Afaha youth Leaders Association, Ukanafun/Oruk Anam. Grassroot support for Eshiet Offiong, Youth Asking Earnestly for Change, Exclusive Youths Determined for Change, among others ushered in the man who in one way or the other has wiped away their tears through his generosity.  Grassroot Democratic Initiative decorated the candidate with a symbol of war: cutlass.

 
The director-general of Emancipation 2015, Pastor Ime Udongwu who had given a thought-provoking “sermon” on the candidate’s virtues at different venues captured the event this way when he said, “no love is greater than this that a people would welcome one of their own with radiant hearts”; he stated that the 21st century politics is issue-based, adding that APC as a party has people of substance festooned with integrity. He described PDP as a party with a faulty foundation that has suffered irreparable damage. The cleric disclosed that Oruk Anam is determined to deliver 100 percent votes to Offiong as a matter of justice and equity.

Delivering his manifesto to the good people of the 11 wards of Ukanafun, the APC House of Representatives candidate, Elder Offiong decried the untold hardship experienced by the people, stressing that undue oppression has caused them a river of tears. He promised to bring a new lease of life to the womenfolk so that they can be very supportive to their families. Elder Offiong emphasized that he would facilitate the establishment of a viable bank in the federal constituency so that the people would be saving their proceeds from the improved prices in their agricultural produce. 

He maintained that if elected he would embark on massive populist programmes to improve the living conditions of the people just as the broom revolution would touch every facet of their lives. The oil management service expert lamented the decay in infrastructure which has hampered viable economic activities and called on the people to vote for his party so that the needed change can take place; advising the people not to mortgage their right so that they would vindicate them as a people who took the right choice at the crossroads of history. He condemned in strong terms the present lopsided arrangement where the hungry are dying in the midst of plenty  while the greedy are feeding fat on the sweat and mandate of the down trodden, adding that he is compelled by patriotic anger to come on a rescue mission.   

Earlier during a courtesy call on the clan head of Northern Ukanafun, HRH Dr. Uwem Williamson Akpan at his Nkek Abak palace, Elder Offiong intimated the royal father and his council of that the right of Ukanafun people should not be mortgaged to the interest of a few. He promised to remain in constant contact with the traditional institutions so that they would expedite rapid development of the grassroots. He described the improvement in the living conditions of the people as a benchmark of development. 

Responding, the clan head said the right of the people which is based on zoning cannot suffer as the two LGAs have enjoyed a common history of solidarity since inception of the federal constituency. The royal father charged the candidate not to retreat in his mission as the people have thrown their weight behind him, adding that a good soldier does not sleep or surrender. Obong Akpan promised to mobilize and sensitize his subjects in the 18 villages in his domain to vote for Offiong who has promised effective representation.

Speaking in the same vein at Ikot Mbang where the Clan Head of Northern Afaha, HRH Monday Amos Akpan alongside his council of chief had offered the APC candidate royal blessings, the traditional ruler assured him of resounding victory as no second term ambition can frustrate the right of Afaha People. He assured the candidate that a combination of royal supplication and mobilization would bring hope to the hopeless, freedom to those in economic captivity and political salvation to the oppressed.

The Clan head of southern Afaha, HRH Obong Sylvester Udom stated that the APC candidate started bearing good fruits at an early age. He said that the people clamor for the candidate because of his track record and unparalleled humility which have manifested in service to his community. He described candidate as a man who has never been identified with failure or lies that some politicians are noted for.

Addressing some village heads in Ward II who had convoked at the palace of the village of Ikot Effiong, Obong Parking Ibritam, Offiong said he was there to inform them of his ambition and to receive blessing as the battle is the right of the entire LGA. He called on Afaha people to give him the necessary support for him to wrestle and win the “war”. Chief Ibritam said the battle is not that of the candidate but the challenge of Afaha people who are solidly behind him. The village head of Idung Akpan Uko, Eteidung Friday Udombang said they would go spiritual to ensure that no one interferes with the right of Afaha people. He said that second term is a battle of evil over good which they won recently at the state assembly level and would win again at the national assembly level. 

The village head of Ikot Udo Ossiom, Chief Sunday Okpuk said the war belongs to Afaha and assured the candidate of landslide victory, just as the village heads offered royal blessing to Offiong who promised to synergize with custodians of traditional institutions.