LG poll: PDP barred from campaigning in A’Ibom community

Tony Okoh, Uyo

Leaders and people of Eket Local Government Area of Akwa ibom state yesterday caused a stir in the area when they prevented the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from campaigning in their locality.

The party leadership, as part of its campaign tour of the State ahead of the local government elections, had visited Onna and Ibeno local government areas before storming Eket for the final campaign of the day, only to be told that they could not campaign in the area.

The Chairman and executive committee members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were told in unequivocal terms that since PDP in Eket was like a religion since 1999, rather than campaign, people celebrate and merry.

Different speakers who conveyed the position of the people of Eket, stated that the people of the area are satisfied with PDP legacies and have resolved to turn over the highest votes for PDP not just in the local government elections next week, but the next general election.

The political leader of Eket Senatorial District, Chief Nduese Essien said that “PDP does not have a problem in Eket as there is no other party in Eket.”

According to Essien a former Minister of lands and housing opined,“We will definitely return all our candidates elected on October 5. Our chairmanship candidate is a great gentleman. He performed outstandingly well as councilor and subsequently local government chairman. Even our Governor who is an Eket son, has done so well for us. There’s so much reason to keep supporting PDP in Eket. The victory is sure.”

Also reassuring the party of victory, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Frank Archibong, said that PDP does not have any opposition in Eket and has no hindrance on its way to victory.

“Our party Chairman, we have no real competition. We are not competing against any other political party, we are only competing within ourselves to see which ward will deliver the highest number of votes. It is a healthy competition. Let me clearly say that Eket will beat other local government areas with the highest number of votes for PDP in the 2027 general elections. But for this election, we will win everywhere, it is settled.”

On his part, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr Essien Ndueso, who led all the personal aides of the Governor from the area to the podium, pointed out that “in the real sense, we are gathered here to celebrate and not to campaign. As far as PDP is concerned, this election is a done deal. Eket is a place of celebration because PDP has given us so much reason to celebrate. People campaign in other places and come to Eket to relax and merry and celebrate.”

These were corroborated by a crème of political gladiators from the area including the PDP Organizing Secretary, Obongiwaad Emmanuel Mbong, the member representing Eket in the state assembly, Hon (Dr) Nsidibe Akata, the Transition Committee Chairman, Lady Comfort Emmanuel, the chapter chairman, Hon. Uso Hanson, Obonganwan Mandu Abia accompanied by Mrs Bright Archibong and other women leaders and Hon Tommy Enodien for the youth.

Speaking before presenting flags to the chairmanship and councilorship candidates of the party in Eket, the State Chairman of PDP, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Akpan, who lauded Eket for the massive mobilization for the party, affirmed that the party is ready for October 5 and 2027 polls and that all candidates of PDP will return elected.

The State PDP helmsman said, “we already know that Eket people will follow the usual winning pattern which is one hundred percent, electing all the PDP candidates, while waiting for the bigger one in 2027 to make a bold statement at the polls.”

Responding, the chairmanship candidate of the party, Hon Akaniyene Tommey, thanked the party for the opportunity to fly the flag and be selected to serve the people, promising not to let the party and the people of Eket down when elected for a second term in office.

The Eket campaign flag-off which was held at the cenotaph ground beside the Eket Sports Stadium, had a massive crowd of stakeholders and supporters in attendance.