_ as LP NASS hopeful consults, gets endorsed by Afaha Atai Village
By Ime Silas
The consultation tour of Labour Party House of Representatives hopeful for Uyo/Ibesikpo Asutan/Nsit Atai/Uruan Federal Constituency, Mr. Ikakke Bassey, recorded another major boost on Tuesday as leaders and indigenes of Afaha Atai Village in Uruan Local Government Area pledged total support for his 2027 ambition.
The endorsement came during Bassey’s consultative visit to the community yesterday, where he met with village Chiefs, Family Heads, youth leaders, and women groups to present his agenda for the federal constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The mood in Afaha Atai was charged with excitements as residents trooped out to listen to the LP candidate, many describing the visit as the first time in years that a federal lawmaker hopeful came directly to the village to seek their mandate.
One of the speakers, Mr. Idongesit Edet Udo, who could not hide his feelings, assured Bassey of the village’s backing, citing his credibility and clear development plans as the reason for their decision.
“I’ll vote for the first time in my village because of you,” Idongesit Edet Udo assured Ikakke, adding that “Because of your kind of person you are, and your plans for the people of Uyo/Ibesikpo Asutan/Nsit Atai/Uruan Federal Constituency, we will vote for you. Let me say here openly that I have never voted in this community before but when I heard of your plans for our people, I had to apply to be transferred so I can come and vote here and also work on others to vote for you”
Idongesit Edet stated further that having worked closely with the member representing Ikono/Ini federal constituency and seen firsthand how he represents and empowers his people, he concluded that the standard for representation in Uyo federal constituency has to change.
“Having worked with the member representing Ikono/Ini federal constituency, Rt. Honourable Emmanuel Ukpongudo alias Maccaire and see first hand how he represents and empowers his people, I concluded that the current occupant of Uyo federal constituency seat, Rt Honourable Mark Esset, having failed woefully, shouldn’t present himself for a reelection,” he said.
He added that Afaha Atai village has suffered neglect for too long, with no visible federal presence, and that the community was ready to align with a candidate who understands grassroots needs.
The endorsement from Afaha Atai adds to a growing list of grassroots support for Bassey, who in the last one week has received similar backing from Ibesikpo Ward 5 and the Afaha Udoeyop Youth Council in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA.
In his response, Bassey thanked the people for their trust and outlined specific commitments tailored to Afaha Atai’s needs. He said his representation would prioritize community infrastructure, youth empowerment, and direct intervention projects that put money and skills in the hands of the people.
As part of his promises based on the request of the people, Ikakke assured the chiefs, family heads, youths, women of Afaha Atai Uruan that he would not just build their council hall as part of his constituency projects, he would empower their sons and daughters hugely so that about five of them could come together to take up building of community infrastructures like the village council hall.
“We will not just wait for government to do everything,” Bassey said. “My plan is to equip sons and daughters of Afaha Atai with skills, tools, and funding so that they would be hugely empowered to the extent that about five of them can come together and build community infrastructures like your village council hall. That way, the money stays here, the jobs stay here, and the capacity remains in the village.”
The LP hopeful lamented what he described as the diversion of huge National Assembly allocations meant for constituency development, accusing the current representation of failing to translate federal resources into tangible community projects.
“There’s enough money available for national assembly members in billions to develop the people, transform communities,” Bassey noted.
“But it is painful that such monies are diverted for personal use by those we mistakenly elected to represent us, while our people are allowed to suffer.”
He told the gathering that his tenure, if elected, would be transparent and accountable, with quarterly town hall meetings in each of the four LGAs to report on projects and receive feedback.
Bassey reiterated his three-point agenda of skills acquisition, job creation, and facilitation of federal projects to every ward. He said youth unemployment and poor infrastructure were direct results of poor representation, and promised to change that narrative.
“Our people are tired of stories,” he said. “Our people want electricity. They want jobs. They want schools and health centers that work. Abuja is not far if you are willing to go there and fight for your people.”
Chiefs and family heads at the meeting commended Bassey for coming to the village instead of waiting for them in Uyo. They said the promise to empower indigenes to build the council hall themselves was a new approach that would restore dignity and self-reliance.
Women leaders also used the occasion to present a list of requests, including support for small businesses, access to federal grants, and healthcare interventions. Bassey assured them that women and market traders would be prioritized in his empowerment programs.
Youth leaders in Afaha Atai said the community was ready to mobilize votes for Bassey, noting that his message resonated with their daily struggles. They pledged to serve as ambassadors of his campaign across Uruan LGA.
The Labour Party candidate has positioned himself as the grassroots alternative in the race, banking on direct community engagement rather than big rallies. His campaign says it will continue door-to-door consultations until every village in the constituency has been reached.
As the 2027 election cycle draws nearer, the declaration of support by Afaha Atai Village signals growing momentum for Bassey’s ambition and further pressure on the incumbent, Rt Honourable Mark Esset, who has been described by a vast majority of the constituents as a huge failure.
As echoed by the people of Afaha Atai, the message from Tuesday’s meeting was clear: representation must be determined by the villagers, and this time, they intend to vote for change rather than sell their votes for peanuts that won’t be enough for their next meals.
The visit ended with prayers and blessings from the women and village council and a pledge by community stakeholders to work with Bassey’s campaign structure to ensure massive voter turnout in 2027.
