By ETIM ETIM
By the time Gov. Umo Eno joined APC in June, the Akwa Ibom branch of the party was a disparate and disenchanted group of people that were in different groups and camps. It was riven by leadership crisis, mutual suspicions and mistrust. The internal fights and court cases were so rife that the party ended up with no governorship candidate. But in the 2023 election, APC managed to secure 129, 602 votes, placing it in third position after which polled 136, 262 votes, while PDP scored 354, 348 votes. After he joined the party and assumed full leadership, Gov. Eno’s first order of business was to rebuild it into a harmonious and cohesive platform that would take on any challenge. In the last five months, the governor has taken several steps to fulfil this assignment. He has met with party leaders and elders and initiated steps to raise funds to build a new secretariat. New membership register is being drawn up and reconciliation and bridge-building programmes to bring members together is ongoing. The governor is well aware that APC cannot afford to remain complacent when its main rival, PDP, is struggling to come back to life.
As part of team-building initiatives, Eno asked all party stakeholders, leaders and members to meet in their local government areas at the same time on Saturday in what he termed ‘’Homecoming Assembly’’. It turned out to be the largest political meeting in the state since 1999. Reports indicate that well over 100,000 APC members met at 2pm on Saturday at all the 31 LGAs in the state with one common item of discussion on the agenda: harmony, integration and teamwork. Reports from across the state indicate that APC is gradually growing into one united party, shedding off its old fissures and cleavages that came with the merger with the governor’s entry.
At all the 31 venues, the meetings turned out to be more than a routine political meeting. They became carnivals, rallies and moments of celebration as old political foes who had fought each other in several electoral battles, found themselves seated together under one canopy, sharing food and drinks. Said Dr. Ita Udosen, South-South Zonal Secretary of the Party, ‘’I was a bit emotional when it was my turn to address the crowd. I saw persons who were my once my political enemies; people with whom I fought hard battles, and here I was talking about peace and unity, and how we are going to work together to reelect the Governor, Senate President and the President with them’’. He’s from Ibesikpo-Asutan LGA, my own community.
The homecoming meeting at my LGA was held in an open field as the Council Hall could not contain the crowd. That field has served as a venue for many an event, including scenes of electoral violence and fights. But on Saturday, it was a place of harmony, friendliness and laughter. It bore an overwhelming feeling of awe. Chapter Chairman, Nsikak Ukim, welcomed guests and party members, and announced that the meeting was an initiative of Gov. Eno designed to further enhance party unity. He delivered the governor’s message. Members who have not registered to vote should do so; all members should register in the party’s register at their polling units and no party meeting should be convened unless it is sanctioned by the appropriate authority. The same announcements were made at all the 31 venues, giving an indication of a well-coordinated and planned party organization. In recent past, some unauthorized meetings have been organized to dole out fake endorsements to some office holders.
Many others spoke, extolling the sterling performance of the governor who has been in office for less than three years. Udosen; Dr. Nsikan Nkan (Commissioner for Budget and Planning); Chief T. O. Akpan; Dr. Samuel Edet (Akintola), SA to Governor on Support Group; Elder Emmanuel Obot; Mrs Geraldine Ita Etuk, National Vice President of NCWS; Hon. Gabriel Akpan, State Officer; Rt. Hon. Aniekan Ukoh, former Speaker and now SSA to Governor, also addressed the gathering. They all spoke about the need for party harmony, unity and integration of old and new members. Dr. Nkan said there’s a lot for Ibesikpo-Asutan in the state’s 2026 budget to be presented to the House next week; Udosen commended the governor for his impressive performance and for linking the state with the center while Etuk asked the womenfolk to continue to stay loyal to the party and governor.
Gov. Eno himself attended the homecoming meeting at his LGA, Nsit Ubium. It was filled with conviviality, dances and music. Key party leaders who attended with the governor included the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Obareki; Political Leader of Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Effiong Bob; Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Captain Iniobong Ekong; House of Assembly member, Otobong Bob; former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana and Obong Dan Akpan, Chairman of the State Bulk Purchase Agency.
At the Uyo LGA meeting, Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, restated the loyalty and support of Uyo people to the governor, declaring that the people will continue to stand with the administration in recognition of its fairness, inclusiveness, and commitment to development. He said that the people would continue to remain grateful and loyal to the governor. APC Chapter Chairman, Gabriel Ikpe, commended the leaders and members for their cooperation and unity, stressing that ‘’we only have one political party which is the APC in the State and that the party will win convincingly in 2027’’. House of Assembly member Uwemedimo Udo, emphasized that Uyo has no justification to stand outside APC fold, noting that the Governor has appointed SSG, ALGON Chairman, UCCDA Chairman, and several other key officials from the area.
He maintained that with such representation, there is no reason for the people to assume an opposition stance and expressed confidence that the APC would be delivered 100 per cent in the forthcoming election. The Chairman of UCCDA, Anietie Eka, stressed that the Governor’s performance has already resolved any debate surrounding the 2027 elections. Eka said that attention should now shift further ahead, asserting that 2027 is already secured given the Governor’s impressive achievements across all facets of governance, which he said have made the party proud.
Other Uyo leaders who spoke were Monday Eyo; ALGON Chairman, Dr Uwemedimo Udo and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Entrepreneurial Development, Mr Ime Uwah. The event was attended by other notable personalities including Former Commissioner for Youths and Sport, Prof. Chris Ekong, Delivery Advisor to the Governor on Tourism, Mr Charles Udoh; former Senior Aide to the Governor, Elder Enefiok Ekefre, Coordinator ARISE Initiative for the Elderly, Mrs Mercy Eka and Mrs Inemesit Uwah.
At Senator Akpabio’s LGA, Essien Udim, APC members turned out in large numbers for the meeting. They spent hours talking about the Senate President’s impacts in the community and the leadership style of the governor. Council Chairman Ntiedo Usoro said the party will not need to campaign in the community because of numerous life-touching projects, empowerment and appointment of Essien Udim sons and daughters by both the Senate President the Governor. The same message was delivered by House of Assembly member Prince Ukpong Akpabio II, and Commissioner for Transport, Dr Anthony Luke.
Nsit Ibom LGA meeting was also a lively gathering. At the Council Headquarters in Afaha Offiong, the message of support to the governor, Senate President and the President was collective and unanimous. Setting the tone, Chapter Chairman Emmanuel Jimmy stated that the meeting was at the direction of Governor Umo Eno and is aimed at driving a collective purpose for the Party ahead of the Polls. He reaffirmed the loyalty of members of the Party in Nsit Ibom and solicited more participation in the ongoing voter’s registration exercise. Group Captain Sam Enwang, a foundation member of the APC in the State and former military administrator of Ogun and Rivers State, asked party members to remain steadfast and work in unity for the success at the 2027 polls.
Other party leaders who spoke were Dr. Clement Awakessien; former member of the House of Representatives, Emah Bassey; the Commissioner for Education, Prof Ubong Essien; Chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board, (SUBEB), Anietie Etuk and House of Assembly member, Eric Akpan. Council Chairman Otobong Aaron commended the stakeholders and Party members for the overwhelming support and assured that the Local Government will give one of the highest votes at the general elections for Governor Umo Eno and President Tinubu.
The success of the Homecoming Meeting signposts Eno’s leadership qualities and his capacity to mend fences; build bridges and bring former foes together. This initiative should become a quarterly event till the elections as more members and supporters who may still be on the sideline have to be brought into the new APC family.
