Iman Unites for Uko Umoh as Transition Chairman Joins chairmanship race

 

…begins consultation with a visit to Iman Traditional Rulers council

By Otobong Nsekpong

 

The chairmanship aspiration of Hon Uko Umoh has brought together the people of Etinan Local Government Area ahead of the forthcoming local government elections.

His support base cut across the traditional institution, political class, religious leaders, youths and women groups.

It was not surprising to see a long list of who is who in the politics of Iman as the Transition Committee chairman, Hon Uko Umoh visited the Traditional Institution on Friday, July 19 2024 to inform the royal fathers of his chairmanship aspiration.

At the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Etinan where his footprints is visible regarding the ongoing construction of a befitting palace, Hon Uko Umoh said he was in the race for the seat to solve problems of Etinan people and reposition the local government for greater glory.

As a regular visitor to the palace, I am here again to seek your blessings and prayers of the 64 villages heads as I seek the highest political office in Iman Ibom.

Going down memory lane, the chairmanship hopeful recalled the precedent where transition chairmen transited to become elected chairmen pointing out that Northern Iman ward 2 with nine villages being the biggest ward deserves the seat of an elected chairman.

He argued that based on the last assessment of performances of Transition Committees across the local government areas by both House of Assembly and Commissioners, Etinan came out the best, and as such, he is ready to consolidate on the gains of the past seven months.

In terms of zoning and template to occupy the office of the chairman, he is qualified, as nobody in Etinan Northern Iman ward 2 had ever been elected chairman since the creation of Etinan.

 

Also speaking, the Political Leader of Northern Iman Ward 1,Obong Patrick Udofia, appealed to leaders in Etinan to support the aspiration of Hon Uko Umoh and allow him to continue the good works he started as Transition Chairman.

The former Special Assistant to Governor, Hon. Udo Ekwere, urged village heads to mobilize support for Uko Umoh, describing him as a committed person who will strengthen the traditional institution and better the welfare of traditional rulers.

In his remarks,
Obong Emmanuel Titus, agreed on the template of ascending into chairmanship position in Etinan and urged village heads not to allow anybody deceive them.

In his speech, the ward leader Northern Iman Ward 2, Obong Donald Uko, averred Uko Umoh to be a blessed child and a man of grace, adding that the vision and mission of Uko Umoh are for the betterment of Etinan Local Government Area.

The 64 village heads who spoke through their heads of groups, including the village heads of Ekom Iman; Mbioto 1; Oniong commended Hon. Uko Umoh for honouring them and paying attention to their welfare, explaining that with Uko Umoh as chairman, monarchs in Etinan will have a good time.

Cross section of Village Heads at the endorsement of Hon Uko Umoh ahead Local Government electionsThey described Uko Umoh as the best foot forward for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Etinan in the forthcoming local government elections.

The Paramount Ruler, HRM Edidem Aniefiok Akpanobong commended the chairman for the respect he has accorded the traditional institution since he assumed office, hoping that problems faced by the traditional heads will be sorted out.

The monarch applauded the chairman for trying his best within his few months in office.

“Traditional rulers want peace and respect. All the village heads have agreed to support you, since you have a very nice blueprint,” he said.

 

The Paramount Ruler warned against pull- down syndrome plaguing the local government, urging the chairman to learn from the leadership style of pastor Umo Eno.

Present at the consultation were Chief of Staff to the chairman, Hon. Ubong Inyang, former leader of the legislature, Hon. Item Etuk; NULGE chairman, comrade Ifiok Macaulay, among other party leaders.