Former Deputy Governors of Akwa Ibom State, Engr Patrick Ekpo, and Lady Valerie Ebe, were on Friday inaugurated as members of Local Government Area Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Mkpat Enin, Eastern Obolo and Ikot Abasi Local Government Areas.
Inaugurating LGA Caucuses during the PDP Tour of Federal Constituency at Ikot Abasi Local Government Council Secretariat, Chairman of Forum of PDP State Chairmen and Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the party, Obong Paul Ekpo, said the party was on the fast lane of rescuing Nigeria by “returning the party to the people. The business of returning the party to the people has become very necessary because of our unalloyed commitment to rescue Nigeria.”
Obong Ekpo further informed that “The party primaries and elections are closer. And the only way we can rescue Nigeria is to return the party to the people. There must be synergy at various levels of the party. We have seen the hard work of various groups including the women in total solidarity to Governor Udom Emmanuel and his reelection bid. There will be zoning and streamlining for power balancing. For the 2019 elections, you must be able to present candidates that will be able to win the general election for PDP.”
Recounting the party’s strides from inception, the State PDP Chairman said the tour was apt and aimed at consolidating the party for the forthcoming general elections.
On the recent killing in the middle belt of Nigeria, Obong Ekpo consoled with families of the deceased and victims, and added that all Chapters of PDP in the country has raised its flags at half-mast to mourn their demise.
Before inaugurating the Local Government Area Caucuses, Obong Ekpo tasked the people to endeavour to enroll in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise and also ensure they get same, adding “It is your unit result that will promote you, not the level of blackmail and propaganda.”
At the interactive session, Obong Sam Umotong and Chief Godwin Ayara, who spoke on behalf of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, commended the party for the bold steps of “returning the party to the people.”
They saluted the party’s sincerity in the composition of the LGA Caucus.
On their part, the spokespersons for Eastern Obolo, Sir Adasi Ubulom and Mrs. Nnenna Franklyn, appealed to the party to develop a clear cut feedback mechanism to take care of issues like lopsidedness and marginalization.
They informed that the people of Eastern Obolo and its people have become so addicted to PDP, stressing that “PDP, lead us not into temptation for thou art the finance and government of the day.”
Also speaking, Chief Obot Etokafia and Mr. Chelly Okoko, who spoke on behalf of the people of Ikot Abasi, said the inauguration of the LGA Caucus was apt and very reassuring to the people.
They further appealed that the return of the party to the people should be in practical, “because the main custodians of the party are the kingmakers, the people. There must be a line between the party structure and the beneficiaries of power.”
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of party register and membership cards to the three Chapter Chairmen for onward distribution to new members.
