2019: Forum of Former Elected Council Chairmen Pledge Support For Gov. Udom

By Osondu Ahirika

The Forum of former elected Local Council Chairmen in Akwa Ibom state have restated their total support for Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel to complete his full tenure of eight years.
This was part of the resolutions the Forum reached during their courtesy call on the Deputy Director of the Divine Mandate Campaign Organization, Engr. Ben Udobia at Eket.

In his speech at the event, Chairman of the Forum and former leader of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Obong Godwin Ekpo, commended the state governor, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel for the inspired and focused leadership he has given to Akwa Ibom, which he argued is the reason there is stability in the polity despite the biting economic recession
Obong Ekpo said the Forum in recognition of the many achievements of the governor has resolved to back him for a second term in office, which will also ensure equity is done as Uyo and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial Districts have both had their full tenures of eight years. The Forum Chairman listed wealth creation, political inclusion and the industrialization agenda as positive programmes of the governor which should be supported by all, and charged that the Forum be carried along as they are poised to work for the re-election of the governor.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Udo Ekpenyong, thanked the Forum for their resolution and remaining steadfastly loyal to the Peoples Democratic party which produced them and gave them the platform to actualize their aspirations.
Mr Ekpenyong said he looks forward to collaborating with the Forum to achieve their objectives.

On his part, Commissioner for Works, Mr Ephraim Inyangeyen expressed confidence in the Forum, which he described as stakeholders at the grassroots, as capable of making the difference in the electoral fortune of the PDP. He pledged his cooperation and personal support for the Forum and called for a strategy session to fashion out modulates on how the group can achieve her goals.

Highpoint of the ocassion was the appointment of Engr. Ben Udobia as the Life Patron of the Forum. The motion was moved by former Chairman of Ikot Ekpene who now represents Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere and seconded by former Okobo council chair who also represented Okobo State Constituency in the state Legislature, Rt. Hon. Asuquo Odiong and unanimously adopted by the Forum.

Engr, Udobia in his response thanked the members for finding him worthy to be their Life Patron and supporting Governor Emmanuel. He pledged to justify the confidence reposed on him and working relentlessly to ensure the second term of Governor Emmanuel.