…as commercial Motorcycle, Keke operators drum support
“I will make you feel the impact of governance”, NASS hopeful assures
By Ekanem Iniko
UYO — The momentum behind Labour Party’s House of Representatives hopeful for Uyo/Ibesikpo Asutan/ Nsit Atai/Uruan Federal Constituency, Mr. Ikakke Bassey, received a major boost over the weekend as commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators across the city threw their weight behind his 2027 ambition.
The grassroots wave swept through five major transport hubs in Uyo, with riders halting operations briefly to listen to the National Assembly hopeful and to pledge mobilization for the LP ticket.
From Bikemen at Mbiabong Junction, to riders at Ifa Big Junction, then to Keke operators at Shelter Afrique Junction, Keke Riders at Ring Road 3, and finally Bikemen at Ring Road 3, the message was the same: they want a representative who understands the daily struggle of ordinary Akwa Ibom people.
At each stop, Bassey stepped off his campaign van into the crowd, greeted riders, and fielded questions on fuel cost, multiple taxation, harassment by taskforces, and poor access to credit.
“I will make you feel the impact of governance”, Ikakke Bassey assured the jubilant crowd at Shelter Afrique Junction, drawing cheers and chants.
According to him, the National Assembly seat is not for “big grammar” but for service delivery that touches markets, parks, and neighborhoods. He promised to push legislation for structured welfare support for commercial riders, including a cooperative loan scheme, subsidized maintenance centers, and so forth.
Although we’re not praying for any of you to be involved in any form of accident. But if it occurs, we’ll push for policies that would provide immediate and free healthcare attention. We’ll also promote regular engagements with commercial transport unions in budget planning in order to ensure that your interests are captured.
Let me shock you here: you guys are contributing in billions every day, week, month and year to the Akwa Ibom State government. So, you deserve to be accorded due attention”.
Speaking further, Ikakke noted: “But unfortunately, politics has kept people like you outside the room where decisions are made”, assuring that “When I get to Abuja, your union leaders will have a direct line to my office. We will collaborate with the relevant state institutions towards ensuring that no policy about keke and Okada is made without inputs from keke and Okada riders. Your inputs would be taken into consideration after careful and due consultations.
We are building from the ground up. When governance works for the man at the junction, then it is working for everyone.”
Spokesperson of the Uyo Keke Riders Association, Mr. Ekanikpong Udim, while speaking at Ring Road 3, said the endorsement was not bought.
According to him: “We have seen politicians come and go. This one came to us, not the other way round. He sat with us, he ate with us, he knows our pains”.
At Mbiabong Junction, bikemen displayed LP-branded vests and placards reading ‘Grassroots First 2027’.
At Ifa Big Junction, riders formed a convoy that moved with Bassey to the next stop, blaring horns in solidarity.
It was learnt that Commercial transport operators remain one of the largest voting and mobilization blocs in Uyo. Their early alignment with Bassey signals a shift in how the 2027 race is shaping up in the federal constituency, with LP seeking to consolidate its grassroots appeal ahead of primaries.
Bassey, a community development expert and empowerment advocate, said his campaign will continue with town halls in wards across Uyo, Nsit-Atai, Uruan and Ibesikpo Asutan LGAs. He urged youths to get their PVCs and to monitor the electoral processes.
The LP candidate’s team said the tour will continue next week with visits to market associations and student groups as the party intensifies consultations ahead of 2027.
