…promises to revive ALSCON, empower constituents
By Ime Silas
The candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, for Ikot Abasi / Mkpat Enin / Eastern Obolo Federal Constituency, Engr. Ubong Idemudo, has reassured grassroots women, youths and political stakeholders of Etteh in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area that his ambition to represent them in the National Assembly is driven by the overall interest of the people.
Idemudo gave the assurance yesterday evening during a consultative meeting with women, youths and political stakeholders of Etteh clan, as part of his ongoing grassroots engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing the gathering, the NDC House of Representatives candidate said if it were about personal survival, he knows how to navigate his way despite the biting hardship in the country and within the federal constituency, but that he is in the race to change the narrative of neglect and ensure the people feel the real impact of representation.
He bemoaned the high cost of living triggered by the increase in the price of fuel under the All Progressives Congress, APC-led Federal Government, noting that the hardship has worsened poverty, crippled small businesses and made life unbearable for ordinary Nigerians.
According to him, the only way out is for the people to vote rightly in 2027 by voting for Mr. Peter Obi as President and himself as member representing Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo Federal Constituency, so that dividends of democracy could be fully felt at the grassroots.
Idemudo said his priority, if elected, would be to work closely with a Peter Obi presidency to revive the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria, ALSCON, in Ikot Abasi, which he described as the economic lifeline of the area.
“If they come again in 2027 to ask you for votes, ask them the whereabouts of ALSCON. Today, all the families whose breadwinners were working at ALSCON have been plunged into untold hardship because of the closure of the company. We will revive the company and other companies operating within Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency,” he declared.
The NDC candidate lamented that since the shutdown of ALSCON, thousands of families have been thrown into poverty, with youths rendered jobless and the local economy grounded, a situation he said must be urgently reversed.
He further promised to use his office to ensure that companies operating within the federal constituency train and employ indigenous youths, rather than importing labour from outside while locals wallow in unemployment.
“I will use my office to make sure that companies operating in our federal constituency train our boys and girls sufficiently enough to be employed in those companies.
We will make financial facilities available for market men and women as well as farmers. We will increase the list of beneficiaries of our ongoing scholarship scheme to accommodate more people and families,” Idemudo assured.
The Etteh stakeholders, including women leaders, youth leaders and elders, who spoke at the meeting, expressed delight over the consultative visit, describing Idemudo as a grassroots man who understands the pains of the people. They pledged to mobilize their families and communities to support the NDC in the forthcoming elections.
Meanwhile, the NDC Campaign Council has announced that it will be dedicated to God on Friday, 7th November, 2026, just as arrangements have been concluded for a formal consultation with the Ukpum Ete clan council on a date to be approved by the council.
The party also disclosed that preparations are in top gear for the official flag-off, declaration and opening of campaigns across the federal constituency.
In a related development, the campaign train made a brief stopover to pay homage to the traditional father of Ikot Akata community in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, His Highness, Edidiong Ndem.
The monarch, who was visibly grateful for the visit, blessed the team and committed the project unto God and the gods of the land, praying for journey mercies and victory at the polls.
The consultative tour continues across wards and clans in the federal constituency in the coming days.