Uyo Senatorial District Leaders Forum (USDLF) has pledged its unalloyed support to the administration of Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.
It stated this during a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the State Government, Sir Etekamba Umoren in his office.
The body congratulated Sir Umoren on what it described as merited appointment as SSG as well as his successful completion of career as a civil servant. It commended his speedy grasp of the responsibilities entrusted on him by the governor noting that his wealth of experience, capacity and dedication have been added advantage. The body affirmed that it would continue to extend to the SSG what it would take to ensure the success of Udom’s administration.
The Forum which noted that Uyo Senatorial District occupies a prime position in the geopolitical equation of the State as hosting the State capital among other things also observed that it is the only senatorial district that is homogenously Ibibio in nature.
The body aligned itself with the zoning formula as enunciated by PDP adding that it is the veritable antidote to undue social fragmentation and destabilization in our type of plural society. It, however, reiterated its expectation from the administration being a fair share of what should be given to what it described as a unique and prime senatorial district.
Uyo Senatorial District Leaders Forum admitted that the challenge staring them in the face is managing the huge victory that PDP recorded in a manner that would make them overcome the schism associated with it. It called for reconciliation and restoration of hope to the aggrieved segments of the society adding that the major task is to reconcile Ibibio race, and other ethnic groups in the State. The body reported that it has already instituted the machinery as it is studiously reaching out to major socio-cultural organizations.
USDLF further stated that its reconciliation efforts would be crowned with a grand reception to Governor Udom Emmanuel at Assan Ibibio and solicited the support of the SSG in planning and executing the grand reception.
In his response, Sir Etekamba Umoren said he was overwhelmed by the visit and the caliber of personages from Uyo Senatorial District that had come to congratulate him. He said that with his wife from Uyo Senatorial, he is bound by our cultural mores never to work against the Senatorial district. Sir Umoren also shocked the guests by informing them that the mother is the daughter of the paramount ruler of old Ikono noting that providence brought him as SSG to support his grandparents and in-laws.
The SSG sued for peace and co-operation across all segments of the State adding that we are building Akwa Ibom for ourselves. He cited the airport as an infrastructure most of our people have leveraged on adding that the seaport when it comes on stream would even do more.
Sir Umoren said that his responsibility is to advise government on things that would move the State forward pledging to give support to the realization of the planned reception.
The delegation which was led by the Chairman of the Forum, Prince Peter Ekpe Atakpo had notable personalities like Dr. Val Attah, Akparawa Essien Esema, Mr. Raphael Bassey, Barr. Christiana Akpan and Dr. (Mrs.) Roberta Edem amongst others.