By ETIM ETIM
Leaders and stakeholders of APC in Uyo Senatorial District met on Sunday and unanimously resolved to welcome Gov. Umo Eno into the party whenever he decides to defect from the PDP. They also agreed to support him for his second term bid under the APC platform. The leaders met under the aegis of Uyo Senatorial District Stakeholders’ Forum (USDSF), a political action group of APC leaders founded to promote the welfare of the people of Uyo Senatorial District. The meeting was hosted by Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA), a former Commissioner of Finance, in his country home at Ibiono Ibom, and was attended by leading APC leaders and members from the nine LGAs that make up the senatorial district.
The resolution came after the opening remarks by the Chairman of USDSF, Prof. Chris Ekong, a professor of economics at the University of Uyo and a former commissioner in the state and speeches by many other members. Prof. Ekong said the forum is pleased with the inclusive leadership style of Gov. Umo Eno and urged members to close ranks to welcome the governor into the party. After Ekong’s remarks, representative of each of the nine LGAs in the Senatorial District spoke in turn in the same vein, before the most senior APC official from the Senatorial District, Dr. Ita Udosen, APC South-South Zonal Secretary, took the floor. He extolled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, for their purposeful and decisive leadership. He then thanked Senator OBA for hosting the meeting and advised members to be prepared to welcome the governor and other PDP members with open arms into the party. He stated that APC members will support Gov. Umo Eno for second term as it is natural for APC governors seeking reelection to receive automatic nomination. ‘’It is natural in our party to give every governor automatic reelection ticket. To that extent, I wish to thank Senator OBA for his well considered position to join us in welcoming Gov. Umo Eno and others into the party and for also joining us to support the governor’s second term bid in 2027″, he said. Other members of the forum also spoke.
In his own remarks, the host, Senator OBA, thanked members for attending in large numbers and noted that after contesting for governorship in 2015 and 2023; he would take a rest in 2027.
With OBA not contesting in 2027, Gov. Eno is set to be returned unopposed in his second term bid.
In addition to Prof Chris Ekong, Dr. Ita Udosen, Senator Bassey Albert, those who attended included Justice Andrew Okon (rtd); Barr. Usenobong Akpabio; Hon. Denis Akpan; Archbishop Uwanta; Kennedy Ekong; Elder Enefiok Ekefre; Akparawa Okon Imerh; Dr. John Harry Akpan; Barr. Victor CT Akpan; Obong Dan Akai; Jude Effiong Edet; Simeone Jerome Eyo; Daniel Udoh (North-South), Obongowan Dora Ebong and many others. The next meeting will be hosted by Dr. John Harry Akpan in Nsit Attai on Sunday June 8 while Dr. Ita Udosen (Ibesikpo-Autan) will host on Sunday, June 15 at his country home in Mbierebe Akpawat.
