…urge all delegates to nominate him as PDP Candidate
By Our Correspondents
“We are all set to support him to emerge because it has always been our prayers that Ikot Abasi should have a Chairman who would value the women and be willing and ready to regard their welfare as important”
The women, mostly of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Ukpum Okon Clan, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area have risen in full support of the aspiration of Barr. Ernest Akpan as Chairman of the local government.
The women who took turns to pour encomiums on the Chairmanship hopeful when he consulted the Elders and Political Stakeholders of Ukpum Okon Clan of his aspiration last Saturday were in unison that the legal practitioner was the best man for the job.
Present at the event were but not limited to Dr. Ata Udom, Chief Akpan Isiaha, Dr. Mrs. Ekim, Hon. Emmanuel Ufot and Hon. Ukpono Udoma.
Others were Hon. Justus Ntuk, Mrs. Adiamkpo, Evang. Akpan Udom, Mr. Akwaowo Inyang, Elder Akpan John and a host of others.
Our Political Correspondents who were at the event filed in the following excerpts from the women:
PDP Chapter Woman Leader, Ikot Abasi; Mrs. Carolyn had this to say “Just like the last speaker had said, we have a Women Political Forum in this Okon Clan which comprises six villages. To be very honest, there is no time we would call Barr Ernest Akpan that he will not come forth. When he comes, he would say that he finds good companionship with the women just as his own mother whom he had since lost to the cold hands of death. He would say that whenever he sees the women, it gives him joy as though he is with her late mother.
“Secondly, since it has come again to the turn of Ukpum Okon Clan to produce a Chairman for Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, it is the prayers of all the women that Barr. Ernest Akpan, who has the fear of God should be elected. We have been hearing rumors in the past that the Chairmen we always had did not recognize people. If you go to the Council, the Chairman would pretend as if he doesn’t see you. It’s always been very shameful.
Therefore, as we’re about to elect another Chairman, we must elect someone who, through him, good things would come to Ikot Abasi. Besides, there’s an adage that says that ‘whatever a villager is, the villagers know’.
“This Barr Ernest Akpan seated here, I know him very well and we all know him. He is a man with the fear of God and we all know that any leader who does not have the fear of God in him can not do any good thing for the people. We shouldn’t make the mistake of electing someone who belongs to a special group, who would not regard anybody as anything.
So, my prayer is that as we, the PDP delegates would be nominating the Chairmanship candidate, may God direct our hearts to Barr Ernest Akpan who has the fear of God so that he would help restore the lost glory of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area”.
Former woman leader, Mrs. Adiamkpo said “It has rotated back to Ukpum Okon to produce a Chairman. I want to urge all of us to look deeply so that we don’t make another mistake that we would regret tomorrow. For Barr Ernest sitting here, I know him and we all know him. I have assessed him and know him to be a child of God. And the Bible says when the righteous rules, the people rejoice.
I know very well that if he is elected as Chairman for Ikot Abasi, Ukpum Okon would not have any reason to be ashamed. So, my prayer is that on the day of nomination, let our hands, our feet and our hearts take us to where we will vote for Barr Ernest Akpan in Jesus name, Amen”.
For Mrs. Udobia, “Unfortunately, during all political processes, the women of Ukpum Okon and Ikot Abasi would be used but cheated and dumped in the end. But, I am very sure and convinced that Barr. Ernest Akpan will not dump the women.
Why I am saying so is that we have what is called Political Women Group here in Okon and that is the group that is always used during political processes and campaigns. That is the group we normally use in organizing our voter education here.
It is only Barr Ernest Akpan that recognizes that women group. Anytime we the women of that group want to do anything, Barr. Ernest would come and support us fully. Of course, this can be attested to by the women of Ukpum Okon. He doesn’t joke with us.
“In fact, sometimes if we don’t invite him, he would be the one to call us to ask if we have postponed the event. We would tell him that we wanted to do it in a low key, still, he would come and support us.
We are all set to support him to emerge because it has always been our prayers that Ikot Abasi should have a Chairman who would value the women and be willing and ready to regard their welfare as important”