Villagers in 62 communities in 10 wards have raised their hands in unison to endorse the candidacy of Mr Frank Archibong as Chairman of Eket local government area in the forthcoming local government elections in Akwa Ibom state.
During the ongoing village to village sensitization tour on Tuesday the Eket mobilization and sensitization team further undertook a tour of 12 villages in Eket Urban 2 and Urban 4.
Led by the member representing Eket in the House of Assembly, David Lawrence, the State treasurer of the party Barr Akpadiaha Ebitu, the Chapter Chairman of the Party Obong Emman Mbong and the Campaign Manager Chief A. S. Idim, the campaign team was received amidst pomp and celebration by the respective communities.
Villages visited included Ukwa, Ekpene Ukpa, Idung Udofa, Atabong, Mkpok, Okopedi, Afaha Uqua Ndon, and Afaha Uqua Obokidim. Others included Etebi Idung Iwak, Atibe, Atai Ndon, Ekpene as well as Idua. At each of the centers, the village council leaders, women and youth all spoke unequivocally in glowing terms of the sterling reputation of Mr Archibong and vowed to ensure that all their votes are maximally utilized in his favour during the elections.
It was also an opportunity for the villages to express their appreciation to the leadership of Governor Udom Emmanuel, even as they pledged their resolve to re-elect Mr Emmanuel for a second term in office in 2019.
Mr Archibong while thanking the communities for their support to Governor Emmanuel and pledge to parley with the Governor to bring more dividends of democracy to the area.
He said his visit to all the villages with all the councillorship candidates has made him more acquainted with the prospects and problems adding that he is arming himself with a perfect blueprint to return Eket to its past glories.
So far, 62 villages in 10 wards have been visited by the Eket Divine Mandate team.
The defection of the factional Publicity Secretary of the Akwa Ibom state chapter of the APC, Obong Samuel Udobong and tens of others, comes as the highpoint of the campaigns
Udobong, a founding member of the APC in the state, stormed into the Afaha Atai village hall during the PDP campaigns at the village square to announce his sudden decision to the pleasant surprise of the Chairmanship candididate Mr Frank Archibong, his running mate Nsikak John and the councillorship candidates.
The APC stalwart who had never been a member of PDP since inception, said he was tired of the impunity and deceit that has rocked the APC in recent times, adding that he was impressed with Governor Udom Emmanuel’s leadership qualities in the state.
Others who have also pledged support to the Frank Archibong-led team are, former gubernatorial hopefuls Senator Helen Esuene, Dr. Samuel Udonsak, the paramount ruler of Eket, Obong ECD Abia, and other elders in the area.
The team ends its tour Wednesday with a visit to 13 villages in Ward 2 Central, the home ward of the Chairmanship Candidate, Mr Frank Archibong.
The Villages include, Osiok, Iko Ekid, Uda Iko Ekid, Etebi Ikot Udota, Ikot Udota, Afia Nsit, Ofriyo, Afaha Odoro Enen, Odoro Enen, Ikot Udoma, Ikot Ibiok, Iseyiridua and Nta Isip.
