Otobong Nsekpong
A one time Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Akwa Ibom State, Glory Edet PhD, has not given up her aspiration of representing Ikono/ INI federal constituency in the 2027 general elections.
Edet who was the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate in the 2023 general elections for Ikono/INI Federal Constituency lost to Hon Emmanuel Ukpong-udo,candidate of a relatively unknown Party, Young Progressives Party, YPP.
At the end of elections , Dr Edet had approached the election petition tribunal where she sought relief of the tribunal to declare elections in some polling units inconclusive.
Her prayer was granted and fresh election was called in the affected polling units, however despite the heavy war chest of the state government, candidate of YPP was again announced winner of the supplementary election while Glory Edet suffered what could best be described as a second death.
Being a member of the ruling People’s Democratic party in the state, she quickly found her feets again and bounced back to reckoning by floating a foundation known as Mary Slessor- Akan Glo which takes care of children and parents of multiple birth.
The activities of the foundation keeps the longest serving commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare in the public making her come back easier than expected.
Sources close to the former dean of commissioners in the state disclosed that she is set to throw her hat once again into the ring as she desperately seeks to represent the federal constituency at the National Assembly.
She has been meeting with different groups especially in the build up to the Local Government elections scheduled for October 26th 2024 and through her closeness with former Governor Udom Emmanuel secured the Party’s ticket for Mr. Inibehe Uma who is from ward 2 in Ikpe Clan .
” This is day light robbery. Ward 1 has never produced a chairman but because she needs someone who will stand by her to get the Party’s nomination in the days ahead, she used her influence and connections to win the ticket for Inibehe. It is their usual selection not election ”
Now that she has gotten the chairmanship of her Local Government Area in the bag she is eying the big one being a seat in the Federal House of Representatives.
To achieve what a source described as tall dream, she has started mobilizing the people by holding meeting with different groups in the area.
The most recent one is her meeting with women groups across the Local Government Area in her country home. At the meeting was the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Dr Offiong Offor.
Others include Mrs Grace Johnson, PDP Chapter Woman learder, Mrs. Francisca Inyang, Ini TC Member, Mrs Justina Umah, Ini TC Member, Mrs Blessing Abam, Mrs Happiness Udofia, Mrs Christiana Nya, immediatel past Secretary of Ini Council, Mrs Inemesit Solomon , representative of Her Excellency’s pet project, Elder (Mrs) Iniobong Edikpo , wife of the Chairman of Elders’ Forum, Dr. (Mrs )Emediong Esiere and all the outgoing and incoming Party Executives.
At the meeting, they all chorused eight years for Governor Umo Eno and total support for the PDP of which Dr Edet is the new face in INI Local Government Area.
” This has always been our problem in INI Local Government Area. Instead of dragging government presence to the area, we cowardly surrender a mandate not sought for because of one person’s interest.
“What has the government of the day done in INI, our roads are most deplorable in the state, our land is good for cultivation of staple food yet no government farm, no road infrastructure, no security. We are the first to chorus second term for the governor. It is sad to me”
