The meeting held yesterday June 18, 2017 at Udung Uko Local Government Guest House, Eyokponung kick started with an opening prayer by a spirit-filled member of the audience after a call to order was made by the Chairman of the Transition Committee who also presided over the gathering.
While making his opening speech, the Transition Committee Chairman Hon. Godwin Okponung appreciated everyone in attendance for honoring the invitation in spite the shortness in time of the service of the meeting’s notice.
He provided an insight on what gave rise to the convene of the meeting which included ways to solve minor internal crises in Udung Uko chapter of the PDP, intimating the party elders of the little achievement of the council under his care, strategies to mobilize indigenes for the ongoing continuous Voters registration (CVR) and other ways to move the Local Government and the Party forward.
To make the task of the meeting less cumbersome, the Chairman delegated various topical issues on some of the stakeholders present to handle.
The meeting went avid when the Chairman, in order to quell some viral gone rumor, made his stand known to the entire stakeholders, reiterating his loyalty and support to the Party’s policy of zoning, intimating everyone present in an unequivocal utterance that he will not be contesting in the forthcoming Local Government Chairmanship Election.
Hon. Okponung informed the house of his role in making sure two electrical transformers which were stolen by some hoodlums in the Local Government Area were restored.
He ended his speech by chipping in the recent melee between the students’ body and the Local Government Council, informing the gathering that the leadership of the students’ body has been invited to the meeting in order for the issue to be addressed once and for all.
Responding, a grand stakeholder of the Party and political guru Chief K. B. E. Abia thanked the Chairman for organizing the reunion of such magnitude.
He reiterated his commitment to the party and called for all-inclusiveness in the Party’s affairs, citing that joining hands together in pursuance of a common goal brings unity which in turn is the beginning of success.
On his path, a senior stakeholder of the party and former chairmanship aspirant Engr. A. E. Idung while speaking sued for unity for the good of the party.
He advised the chairman to put more effort in making sure people go out and get registered in the ongoing CVR so as to increase the number of electorates during election for the betterment of Udung Uko LGA. He suggested a ward-to-ward mobilization approach as one of the best strategies to get the desired result.
Engr Idung who is also the Chairman, Udung Uko Chapter of PDP elders’ forum informed the house that the forum which has been almost moribund will be resuscitated and meetings will be held regularly henceforth.
Also speaking, another ex-chairmanship aspirant and front line politician in Udung Uko LGA, Hon. Prince Albertson Atanang brought to fore his philosophy that a good leader must embrace liberality and slide afar from sentiment. He said this because his heart was joyous for the fact that the chairman decided to honor the status quo.
He then, appreciated the chairman for sticking to the long standing arrangement which has over the years, bond Udung Uko LGA as one indissoluble and peaceful body.
A former Vice Chairman of Udung Uko Local Government Council, Chief Mrs. Mercy Effiong while speaking, reiterated that PDP (Udung Uko chapter) has zoned its chairmanship seat to the Zone B ( minority) axis. She proceeded to suggest that a valid motion for reaffirmation of the Party’s stance be moved to that effect.
Also taking the stage for speech was a former councilor and Leader of Udung Uko Legislative Council, Hon. Edeke Ekpei who called on all hands to be on deck for the building and development of the Party.
He however bemoaned the lack of official list of stakeholders in Udung Uko Chapter of PDP, stressing that such underdevelopment brings disunity in any organization.
He advised the Chairman and Political Leader to call for a meeting where with, it will be stated vividly who the Party elders in the Local Government really are. This, he said will help in rationalizing and settle the dust on such knotty issue.
Among others who were given the floor to speak included Chief Joseph Ikpe, Honorable Sunday Umoh, Chief E. B. Ekpo (Jimmy London), Pastor Clement Okon (BBC) (who also doubled as the compere of the gathering) and the chapter youth leader Hon. Nyong Obiesio.
When called upon to speak on behalf of the aspirants, Engr. Etim (Ben) Edenseting after recognizing his fellow aspirants which included: Hon. Okokon Ekpe (World Bank), Hon. Oku (Mogambe), Hon Cyril Otiokpo, Hon. Daniel Daniel etc prayed for the progress of Udung Uko LGA. He also thanked the party for the zoning arrangement which he said does not only show great wisdom on the side of the elders but also brings unity and sense of togetherness in the entire Udung Uko LGA.
He called for a leveled playing ground, stating that every aspirant is genuinely qualified to man the affairs of the Council.
He as well chipped in the need for the stakeholders to bring out the best among the aspirants after due scrutiny revealing that all the aspirants have agreed among themselves to cooperate and adhere with the decision of the elders.
He once again poured encomium on the Chairman of the Transition Committee Comrade Godwin Okponung for his sincerity and desire to ensure a smooth transition to a dynamic, articulate and purpose driven son of the land.
As the meeting neared its end, Hon Ini Jacob Eyo was called upon to give a vote of thanks, and to encapsulate all what was discussed during the active session of the meeting, the Transition Chairman in a closing remark gave the following assurances:
1. That the issue of road construction in Udung Uko will be properly discussed with the State government.
2. That every move will be made to mobilize and raise the number of electorates in Udung Uko LGA through voters registration for Udung Uko to secure its own State Constituency.
3. That he will broker peace in Udung Uko chapter of PDP for development and progress.
4. That there will be no imposition of candidate as everyone will be given a leveled play ground and the election will be free, fair and credible.
He called for a re-affirmative motion on the zoning of the forthcoming chairmanship seat to zone B to be moved. The motion however, was moved and seconded by Hon. Prince Albertson Atanang and Dr. Etanguno Owowo respectively.
Closing prayer was led by the women leader of the party Mrs. Nkoyo Edenseting, and the meeting came to a smooth landing at exactly 05:53pm.
Below are some pictures captured during the reunion.
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