By Our Correspondent
A frontline National Assembly hopeful for Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency, Engr. Ubong Idemudo, has charged political support group leaders in the area to resist vote-buying and stand firm ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying the constituency is “very close to liberation.”
Idemudo made the call yesterday during a strategic meeting with heads of over 30 support groups drawn from the three local government areas that make up the federal constituency — Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin and Eastern Obolo. The meeting, held in Ikot Abasi, brought together grassroots mobilizers ahead of the unveiling of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in the constituency scheduled for Saturday.
Addressing the gathering, Idemudo warned leaders against trading the collective future of the people for short-term financial gains during elections.
“Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency is very close to liberation. So, this is not the time for anyone to succumb to tokens of twenty, fifty or one hundred thousand naira,” he said.
The National Assembly hopeful continued: “No matter how big the money you collect, it will still finish and you will go back to another four years of suffering. That little money you collect can be the difference between liberation for the whole community, and continued suffering. Just think.”
The Oil and Gas expert drew examples from the 2023 polls to buttress his point, noting that many voters who collected money are now regretting their choices.
“Those who collected money and sold their votes in 2023 are complaining today,” he told the group heads, stressing: “Therefore, as support group leaders, you must stand firm and lead this liberation struggle to the end.”
Idemudo also used the meeting to present himself as a tested advocate for the people, citing his past confrontation with companies operating in the constituency over alleged inhumane practices.
“See me as a living example: when I refused to collect bribe from companies I worked here in Ikot Abasi to betray our people, did I become poor?” he asked.
“You all heard that there were issues when those companies started wrong and inhumane practices against our people. I stood my grounds against them and there’s nothing they didn’t promise me but I insisted and fought on the side of the people. I’m going to do it again, this time as your national lawmaker.”
A major plank of his campaign, he said, will be to compel multinational and indigenous firms operating in the area to fulfill their Corporate Social Responsibility obligations, particularly in the area of youth training and employment.
He disclosed that he has personally paid for the training of several indigenes because, according to him, companies in Ikot Abasi have failed to do so.
“By right, these companies operating on our soil are supposed to train our youths to be able to work there as part of their Corporate Social Responsibilities. Unfortunately, they are not doing it because our leaders who ought to check them are less-concerned,” Idemudo stated.
He pledged that if elected, he would sponsor legislation at the National Assembly to make such training mandatory, and would also push for similar laws at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and bye-laws in the three council areas.
“Once I am sworn in by God’s grace and with your support, I will sponsor bills and move motions that would compel these companies to train our youths to be qualified to work and get adequately paid,” the NDC Reps hopeful assured.
“There must be a legal framework that enables our young people to be trained in different skills so that they can take up these jobs as indigenes of host communities.
“I stood up for my people as a private citizen, how much more if you elect me as your representative. I will do it again to justify the confidence you all will bestow on me,” he added.
Idemudo further called on the group leaders to mobilize massively for Saturday’s event, which he described as the official unveiling of the NDC in Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency. He linked his own ambition to that of the party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
“For the Saturday’s event, I want you all to be part of the unveiling of our great Party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, here in Ikot Abasi. Our party is waxing stronger and we must all work together to ensure victory for all our candidates,” he stressed.
“As the NDC presidential candidate, His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi will win as President of Nigeria, you must also make me win as member representing you at the national assembly so that I will protect your interests there. Go to your respective families and villages and tell your people to support and vote for me so that I will go there and correct the wrongs.”
One of the group heads, Mr. Maxwell Akang; Coordinator of Mkpat Enin Solidarity Front (MSF) who spoke at the meeting, commended Idemudo’s consistency and leadership qualities. He pledged the group’s commitment to working “assiduously” to deliver victory for the NDC candidate in 2027.
The meeting comes as political activities begin to gather momentum across Akwa Ibom State ahead of the 2027 elections, with parties intensifying grassroots mobilization and candidate unveilings.
