By Daniel EKPENYONG
Stakeholders of The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in Itu local government area under the auspices of a socio-political group; Association of First Eleven (AFE), have pledged their support to the member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Ime Okon to vie for the Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency seat come 2019.
The group made the pledge during a solidarity visit on the lawmaker recently where they told their host that their visit was necessitated by their love for him, maintaining that his performance in the House of Assembly has been very impressive and commendable.
The president of the AFE, Etubom Eton Atakpa stated that they took the initiative to visit the Ibiono Ibom lawmaker primarily to confirm the rumour about his interest in the Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency seat ,adding that they would want to encourage him to go ahead and count on the their maximum support.
“Sir, we know that it is the turn of Ibiono Ibom to produce a House of Representatives member for Itu Federal Constituency since we in Itu have taken our own two terms from 2011 to 2019. And being that the Federal seat is shared between Ibiono and Itu, we became very interested in who would come out of Ibiono to represent us. So, when we heard you were showing interest we became very excited and decided to come and encourage you to go ahead as you have our backing,” the president assured.
Other members including Otuekong Asuquo Davis, Dr J.J. Akpan, Barr. Godwin Etim and Mrs. Rosemary Alphonsus also spoke glowingly on the lawmaker’s unassailable qualifications, excellent antecedent, goodwill and proven integrity, all of which reflected in his seven years of representation.
They however appealed to him not to forget them when he gets to Abuja as others did in the past.
Responding, Hon. Ime Okon thanked members of the group for their show of solidarity, brotherhood and friendship especially in their initiative to visit him when the reverse should ideally be the case.
He said that at the appropriate time he will formally announce his ambition for the Itu/Ibiono Ibom seat.
Hon. Okon implored the group to appeal to their Itu brothers to continue in their support for the subsisting 8-year (two terms) rotational arrangement between Itu and Ibiono Ibom Local Government Areas (not for individuals) regarding the federal constituency seat by not seeking a third term, adding that what happened in the case of Senator Ita Enang should not be seen as a precedent as his actions did not enjoy the support of Ibiono Ibom people.
He said respecting the zoning arrangement will foster peace, justice and fairness.
“If tomorrow our children from Itu and Ibiono begin to fight and shed blood in the process of struggling to elect a member to represent the two sister LGAs in the House of Representatives, then posterity will hold us responsible for setting the stage for such mayhem. So, let us go back to our two-term agreement and shun a troublesome third term agenda”, the lawmaker appealed.
Also speaking, the Director of campaigns for Hon. Ime Okon 2019 House Of Reps election, Engr. Udoatan, harped on the need for the people of Itu to respect and uphold the zoning agreement they and Ibiono Ibom people have had since 1999 and not to allow what he called “ the Ita Enang aberration” to become a new paradigm in the politics of the two local government areas.
Udoatan added: “Rt. Hon. Barr. Ime Bassey Okon is a brand and being such a popular, well-appreciated brand, you will be happy to support his course as the benefits of doing so are enormous. I’m assuring you as your brother. Support Ime Okon and you will never regret it”.
