By Our Correspondent
A frontline candidate for the Uyo/Ibesikpo Asutan/Nsit Atai/Uruan Federal Constituency seat on the platform of Labour Party, Mr. Ikakke Bassey has assured stakeholders in Nsit Atai Local Government Area that he is ready to deliver the kind of representation that the incumbent, Rt. Honourable Mark Esset, has allegedly failed to render since 2023.
Ikakke made the declaration on Wednesday during a consultative interaction with Labour Party chapter executives and ward officials in Nsit Atai LGA, as part of early mobilization ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing a packed hall of party faithful, Ikakke said his decision to run was driven by the need to restore accountability and tangible development to the federal constituency, which comprises Uyo, Nsit Atai, Uruan and Ibesikpo Asutan LGAs.
“While you will be jubillating my announcement by INEC, I won’t be jubillating because the weight of the work on me will begin immediately after my announcement,” Ikakke told the ecstatic audience.
“It takes one with strength of character to remember his promises to his people. Our representatives have selfish frivolities they spend people’s monies on, to such an extent that before they remember the people, what remained would be just some peanuts to buy clippers, grinding machines, rappers, 10kgs of rice, etc, in the name of empowerments.”
He took a swipe at what he described as tokenism in constituency projects, arguing that such gestures do little to address unemployment and poverty in the area.
“You don’t buy clippers for 50 youths in a community of 70 youths and call it empowerment. Who will be the barber and who will pay for barbing?” he asked, drawing applause from the audience.
Ikakke directly compared his approach to that of the current representative, and Rt Honourable Mark Esset’s colleague from a neighboring federal constituency.
“Some weeks ago, while Rt Honourable Unyime Idem of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal constituency was showing on his social media handles the list of people he is empowering through federal employments, overseas training, cash grants, etc, your own representative, Rt. Honourable Mark Esset from Nsit Atai here, was advertising himself with his daughter on foreign Club jersey, watching football abroad. Is that why he was elected?”
He promised that if elected, his office would prioritize federal job placements, skills acquisition with start-up capital, scholarships, and infrastructure support for Nsit Atai communities. According to him, representation should be measured by the number of lives changed, not by photo opportunities.
The consultative meeting, convened by the Nsit Atai Labour Party chapter, was attended by ward chairmen, women and youth leaders, and other stakeholders who used the forum to table their expectations for 2027.
One of the key speakers, Mr. Akpan John, Labour Party Chairman for Ward 7 in Nsit Atai, acknowledged Ikakke’s outreach but also raised the issue of zoning within the federal constituency.
“Although we’re all from Nsit Atai, we must uphold justice for the sake of posterity,” Mr. John said.
“2027 is the turn of Ibesikpo Asutan local government area to produce member of the house of representatives and we stand by that truth and justice. We thank God that you’re not here only on the basis of zoning consideration, but also on the strength of your capacity, content and character. So, we will vote for you.”
His comment highlights an ongoing debate within the Uyo Federal Constituency over rotational arrangement for the House of Representatives seat. Since 1999, the four LGAs have jostled for the position, with stakeholders often appealing to fairness and equity in picking candidates.
Political observers note that Ikakke’s early engagement with grassroots structures signals an aggressive strategy to build consensus ahead of next year’s polls. Labour Party made significant inroads in Akwa Ibom during the 2023 elections, and party leaders in Nsit Atai said they’re determined to consolidate that gain.
In response to questions from party officials, Ikakke said his campaign would be issue-based and would focus on legislative oversight, constituency outreach, and attracting federal projects to the area. He urged party members to begin voter mobilization and sensitization now rather than wait until election year.
“We cannot continue to elect people and then spend four years chasing them. Representation is a contract,” he said. “When you give me that mandate, I will be accountable to you every quarter. I will publish what we attract and who benefits.”
The consultative interaction ended with a vote of support for Ikakke by the ward officials present, who pledged to take his message to the polling units.
