…vow to uphold truth, justice at upcoming polls
By Rose Ekan
Stakeholders in Nsit Atai Local Government Area have declared their commitment to zoning, justice and capacity over sentiment ahead of 2027, assuring Labour Party candidate, Mr. Ikakke Bassey that while anybody has right to contest, the House of Representatives seat for Uyo/Ibesikpo Asutan/Nsit Atai/Uruan Federal Constituency must go to Ibesikpo Asutan LGA in the forthcoming election cycle.
The position was made known on Wednesday during a consultative interaction between Ikakke and Labour Party chapter executives, ward officials, women and youth leaders in Nsit Atai. The meeting, held in a packed hall, served as part of early mobilization ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on behalf of other Ward Chairmen, Mr. Akpan John, Labour Party Chairman for Ward 7 in Nsit Atai, said fairness must guide political decisions in 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.”
The declaration sets the tone for what political observers describe as a zoning-sensitive contest in a constituency that comprises Uyo, Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsit Atai and Uruan LGAs. Since 1999, the four LGAs have jostled for the seat, with equity often cited as the basis for picking candidates.
Ikakke, from Ibesikpo Asutan LGA who is running on the Labour Party platform, assured the Nsit Atai audience that he is ready to deliver the kind of representation the incumbent, Rt. Honourable Mark Esset, has allegedly failed to render since 2023.
“Let me say here emphatically and anyone here is ready to record me for future references in case, God forbid that I fail to keep to my promises. I must confess that I am extremely happy with this genuine show of solidarity and support to me. On my honour, I shall not let you down. I promise here today that I shall use my office, when elected, to do those things your brother, Rt Honourable Mark Esset couldn’t do for you. And that will start from my first day in office.
“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.
He blamed what he called tokenistic empowerment for the rising poverty and unemployment in the area, and said constituents deserve more than symbolic gestures.
“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.”
“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 party faithful.
The aspirant contrasted his proposed approach with that of the current representative. He referenced Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, whom he said had recently published lists of some of the beneficiaries of federal employment, overseas training and cash grants.
“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?” Ikakke queried.
He promised that his office would prioritize federal job placements, skills acquisition with start-up capital, scholarships for indigent students, and infrastructure support for Nsit Atai communities and other parts of the constituency.
According to him, representation must be measured by impact, not by optics.
“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.”
“We cannot continue to elect people and then spend four years chasing them,” he added, urging party members to begin voter mobilization and sensitization now rather than wait until election year.
The consultative meeting was convened by the Nsit Atai Labour Party chapter. Participants used the forum to table expectations for 2027, ranging from transparency in constituency projects to equitable distribution of federal opportunities.
The meeting ended with ward officials passing a vote of support for Ikakke and pledging to take his message to polling units across the LGA.
Labour Party made significant inroads in Akwa Ibom during the 2023 elections, and party leaders in Nsit Atai said they are determined to consolidate that gain. With early grassroots engagements like this, Ikakke’s camp is seeking to build consensus while aligning with the Nsit Atai people’s call for zoning, truth and justice to guide the 2027 race for the Uyo Federal Constituency seat.
