As arrangements for the local government polls in Akwa Ibom State gathered momentum, an experienced security services management expert, Mr. Bassey Isreal Udoh has said that he is interested in the race.
Udoh, born into the a modest family in Afaha Ntup village, Ward 6 , in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State who made his position known while chatting with newsmen in Uyo, said as a faithful and committed member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) his ambition right from his early days in politics has been a crave for an opportunity in government to impact positively on the lives of his Nsit Ibom people and the local government in general. According to him, the recent pronouncement by Governor Umo Eno that zoning would be strictly followed and respected in the October 26 , 2024, local government polls among other things, is a plus to him as the zoning arrangement favours his Mbiaso Ward 6, describing the governor as a true democrat and a man of peace.
He observed further that Governor Eno’s decision was apt and a step in the right direction as it will ensure peace, equity, justice and fairplay, and as well give zones that have not produced a chairman before a sense of belonging. He lauded the development strides of the governor in the state in his one year in office, especially in prioritizing development in the rural areas of the state.
Speaking further on his Chairmanship aspiration,Udoh who bags a Bachelor and Master degrees in International Relations from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife, Nigeria , hinted that he is prepared to align with the ARISE Agenda of the present administration by changing the fortunes of the people through agriculture. He explained that in today’s world, mechanized agriculture is the end thing and this he would venture into by partnering and collaborating with expatriates and foreign organizations that are ready and waiting for a platform to operate and do businesses in Nigeria, adding that he would provide Information Communication Technology (ICT) centers at the College of Education Afaha Nsit and Maurid Polytechnic(the two tertiary institutions in the area) to groom youths and also help in the registration of UTME and WASEC examinations, because, according to him, in no distant time everything in the world would be computer -based.
The chairmanship hopeful emphasised that skill acquisition is part of his blueprint as his plan is to create opportunities for the youth to travel abroad for business which he said he would achieve through his partners and links that are intact, noting that he was eager to take the youth off the street by empowering and engaging them meaningfully.
According to him, as a very loyal and ardent supporter of the ARISE Agenda and PDP, he had over the years contributed immensely to the growth of the PDP in Mbiaso Ward 6, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area and the State which could be attested to by many .
He maintained that he wants to join the governor who is doing very well to develop the state at the local government level by adding value in his little way to his community if given opportunity to serve.