Stakeholders in Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday declared support for the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senator Ekong Sampson, and the Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Okpolupm Etteh.
They made the declaration at a Town Hall Meeting, resolving to focus on unity of purpose, sustainable development, and social democracy.
The meeting, attended by political leaders, entrepreneurs, elders, women and youth groups, emphasised collective responsibility in advancing the collective interest of Esit Eket to enhance growth and opportunities.
The gathering also encouraged indigenes of Esit Eket to embrace the Arise Agenda and Renewed Hope by mobilising support for the second term bids of Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno, Akpabio, Sampson, and Etteh.
Setting the tone, a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sir Bassey Dan Abia Snr, described the gathering as community-driven, noting that participation in such engagements remains a civic responsibility and progressive politics.
Abia said: “For the avoidance of doubt, this is the Esit Eket Stakeholders meeting.
“Regardless, we are overwhelmingly APC in Esit Eket and part of the ruling party in Akwa Ibom and Nigeria.
“Our agenda is how to move Esit Eket forward and recalibrate its growth paths.
“We must also be conscious of what happens to our community and its people.”
Also speaking, a former member and spokesperson for the House of Representatives and currently, Special Adviser to the President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, called for accountability and transparency in the management of the PIA commonwealth, particularly the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) fund.
Eyiboh urged relevant authorities to interrogate the several governance breaches and misrepresentations in the management and implementation of the Host Community Development Trust Fund.
He said: “Be it is a community development interventionist fund, we must not rest on oars but keep our eyes on the ball.
“We are here to provide a platform for everyone to ask questions, seek answers, and participate in every act of civil and political rights unimpeded.”
A former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Bassey Essien, also addressed the gathering, while an ex-lawmaker, Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh, urged the council chairman to convene a broader stakeholders’ meeting.
He maintained that zoning remains critical in political stability and expressed confidence that the state government would uphold the principle in every circumstance.
Akpanusoh reaffirmed support for Hon. Etteh in the House of Representatives, noting that the zoning favours Ibeno, while backing Senator Sampson for the Senate.
He further advised that a delegation be sent to the paramount ruler to formally convene a broader Stakeholders’ meeting to address a series of development concerns of the local government.
The meeting featured contributions from representatives of the three zones in Esit Eket.
Speaking for Zone A, Prince Godwin Peter commended the unity among stakeholders and pledged alignment with community decisions, stressing that Hon. Etteh should be given the opportunity for a second term.
For Zone B, Dr. Victor Dan Ikott described the political direction as “a straight path,” affirming support for Tinubu, Akpabio, Sampson, and Etteh, while noting that the State House of Assembly position would be decided by the zone.
