State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chairman of Forum of PDP Chairmen, Obong Paul Ekpo has led stakeholders, members and State Working Committee of the party on a tour of Abak and Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituencies to inaugurate its Local Government Caucuses and briefed the people on the new order.

The two Federal Constituencies comprise six local government areas of Abak, Ika, Etim Ekpo, Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim and Obot Akara.

Briefing the people at Independence Hall, Abak, and Old Council Hall, Ikot Ekpene, Obong Ekpo assured that the party has been reposition and firm in its resolve against impunity and imposition, adding that “the new order of the party is to return the party to the people at the grassroots. This is the directive of the National leadership of the party and it is in line with constitutional provisions of the party.”

“I want to sincerely thank you for standing by the party in all its engagements and I want to appeal for same as we prepare for 2019. We are here again for another business of elections in accordance with the directive of INEC. So, we are here to inaugurate Caucuses of the party in respective Local Government Areas as enshrined in the constitution of the party. As members of the party, we have also come of age to revalidate our membership in the party and also register new members. Since 1998, we have been voting for PDP and we will continue to vote for PDP because it is a religion in Akwa Ibom State. I want to assure you all that everybody will have free, fair and credible platform to participate in the forthcoming primaries and elections. PDP believes in zoning. We will zone, rotate and streamline,” Obong Ekpo maintained.

Obong Ekpo also urged appointees of government and other political office holders to use the opportunity availed them through the tour to reach out to their respective Units, Wards and Local Government Areas and work for the success of the party in the forthcoming elections.

Stakeholders who spoke on behalf of their respective Local Government Areas included Arc Okon Obot (Abak), Chief Emmanuel Akpan (Etim Ekpo), Obong Saviour Enyekere (Ika), Senator Emmanuel Ibok-Essien (Ikot Ekpene), Obong Emmanuel Umana (Essien Udim), P. W. Umoh (Obot Akara) among others.

In their separate remarks, they assured the Obong Paul Ekpo-led team of their resolves to continually stand by the party and ensure landslide winning in 2019.

They expressed appreciation to the party’s leadership for its commitment to zoning, internal democracy and return the party to the people at the grassroots.

Some of the dignitaries who were inaugurated into the LG Caucus included Mr. Aniekan Umanah, Dr Francis Udoikpong, Elder Friday Iwok, Dr Emmanuel Udosen, Dr Emmanuel Ukpong, Brrister Mbetobong Okponette, Akan Eyo, Imoh William, Sir Emem Akpabio, Engr. Samuel Inyang, Idongesit Ntekpere, Engr. Etido Inyang, Chief Michael Afangideh, respective Local Government Council Chairmen, Chapter Chairmen among others