By Mfonobong Ukpong
A new executive has been elected to pilot the affairs of Congress of Former State Legislators, Akwa Ibom State for the next four years.
The election held, Wednesday at the VIP Lounge of the House of Assembly complex.
A former House of Assembly member for Ukanafun state constituency, Hon. Saturday Akpan emerged the new Leader of the body after he was unanimously elected by his colleagues as sole candidate for the post, polling 41 votes to clinch the seat.
Hon. Barr. Uwem Ekanem was elected Deputy Leader with 43 votes, while a former House of Assembly member for Uruan, Rt. Hon. Barr. Usenobong Akpabio polled 39 votes to emerge as State Secretary of the Congress.
A federal board Chairperson and former House of Assembly member for Itu, Dr. Ekaette Ebong Okon who served as Deputy Leader in the 5th Assembly was elected as the Uyo Senatorial district Leader of the Congress.
She polled 39 votes to emerge winner. Rt. Hon. Chief Ukata Akpan is the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district Leader,( having got 44 votes), Hon. Ini Ikot, Senatorial district Leader, Eket, while Hon. Esin Ukim was sworn into office as Deputy Secretary.
Other members of exco include, Hon. Engr. Asuquo Odiong, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Hon. Barr. Idongesit Umoh, Attorney, Hon. Ayang Ayang, Director of Organization, Hon. Chief Inyang Eno, Assistant Director of Organisation, Hon. Joseph Umanah, Direct of Home Affairs, Rt. Hon. Dr. Charles Mbong, Director of Publicity, Hon. Eyakeno Etukudo, Assistant Director of Publicity, Hon Sarah Esit Ikot, Director of Finance, Hon. Uno Etim Uno, Assistant Director of Finance, Hon. Archibong Inyang, Director of Protocol, Hon. Bishop Dominic Obot, Assistant Director of Protocol and Hon. Ernest Ukpong, Assistant Director of protocol.
Performing the inauguration of the exco, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Barr. Onofiok Luke, who congratulated the group for a peaceful conduct of the election, assured of his readiness to work closely with the new leadership of the Congress to achieve the goals for which it was set up.
Represented by the Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian Akpan, the Speaker hailed the immediate past leadership of the body for working tirelessly to keep the vision alive in the past years.
"We must work together to keep the Congress alive. We are happy that the former leadership has not disappointed us.
Let me salute you on behalf of the Speaker for the effort you have put together to ensure that this Congress is alive, and we will come to join you in the future".
The Speaker said the 6th Assembly welcomes inputs, advice, proposals and ideas from the congress which would make the state a better place for all.
High point of the ceremony was administration of oath of office on members of exco of the Congress by the Speaker. He also inaugurated the advisory council for the Congress.
In his inaugural address, the Leader of the Congress, Hon. Saturday Akpan said the election of a new leadership for the body was a signpost of a new era in the Congress.
He thanked members for the confidence reposed in him and members of his exco, and pledged the readiness of his leadership to work for the overall interest of members.
Hon. Akpan lauded the development strides of Governor Udom Emmanuel, and assured of the readiness of member of the Congress to galvanise support from their various state constituencies for the success of the PDP led administration in the state.
A former Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Chief Peter Linus Umoh served as Chairman of the the electoral committee, while the pioneer Speaker during the first Assembly, Rt. Hon. Barr. Nse Ekanem was Chairman of the steering committee of the Congress.
Meanwhile a 12 member Congress Advisory Committee which has Rt. Hon. Barr. Nse Ekanem as Chairman was also inaugurated by the Speaker. It has Rt. Hon. Barr. Peter Linus Umoh as Secretary.
Other members of Advisory council include, Senator Effiong Bob, Rt. Hon Barr. Bassey Essien, Rt. Hon. Ignatius Edet, Rt. Hon. Anietie Etuk, Rt. Hon. Sam Ikon, and Senator Ita Enang.
Others are Engr. Dr. Chris Ekpenyong, Barr. Mrs. Grace Edim Inyang, Rt. Hon. Emman Obot, Hon. Elder Aniefiok Thompson, and Senator Aloysios Etok.
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