‘His over fifteen years in government is useless to us’ – Villagers
“Mark Esset has finished his political journey” – Carl
By Our Correspondent
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the people of Idikpa Ikot Ntuen in Nsit Atai Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have openly rejected the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Uyo/Ibesikpo Asutan/Nsit Atai/Uruan Federal Constituency, Rt. Honourable Mark Esset, and unanimously adopted Ikakke Bassey of the Labour Party as their preferred candidate.
The decision was taken yesterday during a well-attended community meeting where men, women and youths of the village spoke separately but with one voice, declaring that they have resolved to chart a new political direction for their community in 2027.
According to the villagers, their rejection of Mark Esset is not based on personal hatred, but on what they described as many years of disappointment, neglect and failed representation despite his long stay in government.
They insisted that in spite of Mark Esset’s many years in government, during which he served as Local Government Transition Chairman, Substantive Chairman, two-term member of the State House of Assembly and now, over three years at the National Assembly, he has brought nothing to their community or empowered their people.
“His over fifteen years in government is useless to us,” the villagers declared, lamenting that Idikpa Ikot Ntuen has remained without meaningful government presence despite producing votes for Esset in successive elections.
Speaking on behalf of the men, Mr. Sylvanus Bassey Ekpeyong said the people have been patient for too long, hoping that with each new position Esset occupied, their community would begin to feel the impact of government. He said that hope has been dashed repeatedly.
“When he was Transition Chairman, we waited. When he became substantive Chairman, we waited. When he went to the State House of Assembly for two terms, we waited. Now he is at the National Assembly for over three years, and still nothing has come to Idikpa Ikot Ntuen. No road, no water, no empowerment, nothing,” Ekpeyong said.
He added that the community lacks basic amenities and that its youths have been left to struggle on their own without jobs, skills acquisition or any form of empowerment from a man they have supported for over fifteen years.
Also speaking, the Director General of the DÉMMÉ Political Movement for Ikakke Bassey House of Representatives 2027, Mr. Anthony Carl who is a son of Idikpa Ikot Ntuen, spoke pointedly that Hon. Mark Esset has finished his political journey as far as the House of Representatives is concerned in Uyo Federal Constituency.
According to the D-G, the people have made up their minds and no amount of propaganda or last-minute inducement will change their resolve to vote for a new and people-oriented representation in 2027.
Speaking on behalf of the women, Madam Esther Ekong Tom declared that the Women of Idikpa Ikot Ntuen in Nsit Atai have reached a consensus for Ikakke Bassey for House of Rep’ 2027.
Madam Tom said the women of the village have suffered the most from the neglect, as they have no support for their trading, farming and other small businesses.
“We are the ones who come out in the rain and sun to vote. We are the ones who mobilize our children to vote. But after elections, they forget us. Our women have not been empowered. Our market is still the same. Nothing has changed for us,” she lamented.
She said the women have now resolved to support Ikakke Bassey, whom they believe will listen to them and carry them along in his representation.
On behalf of the youths, Mr. Ekpeyong Ibid said the youths of Idikpa Ikot Ntuen are tired of being used only during elections and abandoned afterwards. He said the community has many graduates and skilled youths who have no jobs and no support, despite having a son of the area in high political offices for over a decade and a half.
“We cannot continue to follow a man who has spent over fifteen years in government but cannot point to one thing he has done for the people of this village. We want a new person. We want Ikakke Bassey,” Ibid declared to loud applause.
The villagers unanimously adopted Ikakke Bassey of the Labour Party as their preferred candidate, describing him as accessible, humble and people-oriented. They said they believe Bassey will give the constituency a fresh voice at the National Assembly and prioritize community development, youth empowerment and the welfare of the people over personal interest.
They called on other communities in Nsit Atai and the entire Uyo/Ibesikpo Asutan/Nsit Atai/Uruan Federal Constituency to join them in rejecting failed representation and embracing a new leadership in 2027.
The meeting ended with solidarity chants and a firm resolve by the people of Idikpa Ikot Ntuen to mobilize massively for Ikakke Bassey and the Labour Party in the forthcoming elections.