2015: Mkpat Enin Takes Lead, Inaugurates PDP Governorship Campaign C'mttee By Henshaw NYONG, Uyo.

Less than 45 days since Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State
inaugurated high powered campaign committee to work for the emergence
of his successor from Eket Senatorial District in 2015, a formidable
extended team has been inaugurated in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.
The Mkpat Enin Chapter inauguration took place, Tuesday, 31st December,
2013, at the Unity Hall, Mkpat Enin, and was attended by political bigwigs of
the area; notably, the State deputy governor, Lady Valerie Ebe, Executive
Chairman of the Council, Hon Ephraim Akpan and Member representing
Mkpat Enin State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon
Ekong Sampson.
Others were: the Immediate-past Chairman, Transition Committee of the
area, Hon Ubong Ekefre, One-time Transition Chairman and current
Commissioner in the State Secondary Education Board, Hon Ubong Inyang,
a political elder, Engr Otobong Ndem, women leader, Lady Imefon Udoh,
Secretary, Mkpat Enin Local Government Council, Lady Ekaette Usip, State
Financial Secretary of PDP, Barrister Akan Afia, the entire Chapter and
Wards Executve and members of PDP, led by the Chapter Chairman, Hon
Nkereuwem Akai, Royal fathers and clergies as well as youth and women
organisations.
In his welcome address, the Executive Chairman, Mkpat Enin Local
Government Council, Hon Ephraim Akpan, extolled the State governor, Chief
Godswill Akpabio for performing creditably, positing that his successor
should be ‘bird of a feather’, for the continuity of the uncommon
transformation
While stressing that Eket Senatorial District will produce governor of the
State in 2015, the Council Boss dismissed innuendos, saying Governor
Akpabio has no plan to install anybody, observing that the decision on who
rules the State belongs to all Akwa Ibom people.
Hon. Akpan, said the inauguration was timely as it would afford the people
an opportunity to spread the message across the nooks and crannies of the
area, and however charged the members to be conscious of the task assign
them and to avoid anti-party activities
In his remark, the member representing Mkpat Enin State Constituency in
the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Ekong Sampson, emphasized that
there is nothing wrong in the system having a succession plan.
“Don’t be bamboozled, Governor Akpabio will install his successor in 2015…
Because Akpabio has made gargantuan contribution to the PDP and has
gained love from all strata of the party, the party will give the ticket to
anyone that he (Akpabio) will anoint”, Ekong Sampson reasoned.
The lawmaker, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary,
Justice, Human Rights and Public Petition in the State House of Assembly,
said the entire people of Mkpat Enin were desirous for the Governor’s
direction towards producing his successor, saying “since politics is the
game of number, with the largest voting strength of fourteen (14) wards in
Mkpat Enin, we will work hard and as well key into the vision of the
governor given his excellent performance over the years”.
Advicing the Committee, the State Deputy Governor, Lady Valerie Ebe, called
on them in particular and the entire political class to close rank and work
for the emergence of a credible successor as governor in 2015.
Lady Ebe urged the people to observe keenly the body language of Chief
Godswill Akpabio and support him to midwife a governor that will be the
peoples’ choice for God’s will to be done again.
She charged members of the committee to reach out and canvass support
towards the success of the PDP in 2015.
Responding on behalf of the committee, the Ward Chairman, Ikpa Ibom
Ward 3, Mr Usoro Benedict, pledged to justify the confidence reposed in
them.
Meanwhile, the steering Committee has Hon Ephraim Akpan as Chairman,
Engr. Otobong Ndem- Secretary and Hon Ubong Inyang- Elder of the
committee.
Others are: Barr Ekong Sampson-member, Mr Stephen Ntukekpo- member,
Barr Akan Afia- member, Hon Ubong Ekefre- youth leader, while Lady
Imefon Udoh, serves as the women leader.
Highpoint of the occasion was the inauguration of a-70-man extended team
of the Governorship campaign committee in the area.