By ETIM ETIM
Less than two months after he joined the APC, Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has pledged to build a new secretariat for the party in his state. But he stressed that the project would not be funded from the treasury. ‘’I will lead a fund-raising campaign to raise funds from individuals and organizations to build a befitting party office before the campaign seasons commence’’, he told a crowd of party members and supporters last Friday at the rented one-storey building which has served as the party’s secretariat since 2022. ‘’It’s important that we have a befitting, purpose-built party office before President Tinubu comes to Akwa Ibom for his second term campaigns late next year or early in 2027’’, he told the jubilant crowd.
It was the governor’s first visit to the APC secretariat since he joined the party in June, and to underscore his commitment, he promptly announced the establishment of a committee, headed by a businessman and former commissioner for sports, Monday Ukoh to facilitate fund-raising; land acquisition and construction of the new building. Other members of the committee are Senator Ita Enang; Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of Petroleum (gas); Nsima Ekere, former deputy governor who later became MD of NDDC; Unyime Ekwere, member of the House of Representatives and Chief Assam Assam, SAN. The PDP, Eno’s former party, has a beautiful purpose-built secretariat in Uyo which was built in 2019 during the administration of Gov. Udom Emmanuel.
Eno’s visit to the APC secretariat is part of measures he’s taken to familiarize himself with his new party. Last month, he met with the various organs of the party, including state working committee; state executive committee and stakeholders. His next step is to formally visit the national leadership of the party soon. The visit turned out to be a big political rally attended by prominent members like Chief Don Etiebet, former Petroleum minister; Chief Ekperikpe Ekpo, current petroleum minister (gas); Nsima Ekere, former deputy governor; Dr. Ita Udosen, Zonal Secretary; senators; House of Representatives members; Speaker and members of the House of Assembly and a host of others. Party supporters filled the compound and adjoining streets.
In a rousing speech, rendered in both English and Ibibio, Eno thanked the people for their support and announced that registration of new members in each of the 369 wards will commence on August 4. He said that updating the party register is meant to give him as party leader, a good sense of its authentic membership. The governor commended President Tinubu for embarking on difficult economic reforms and asked Akwa Ibom people to support the federal government. ‘’The president’s economic reforms have led to improvement in the allocation to the states’’, he said, noting that the improved funding has also enhanced the quantity and quality of projects he has executed. Others who spoke at the event are Stephen Ntukekpo, State party Chairman; Nsima Ekere; Unyime Idem; Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Udeme Otong and ALGON chairman Uwemedimo Udo. They all commended the governor for his impressive performance and pledged to support his reelection.
