…reaffirm support for Ikakke Bassey
By Ime Silas
Youths of Afaha Udoeyop in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have declared that no last-minute donations or afterthought empowerment will blind them again ahead of the 2027 House of Representatives election for Uyo Federal Constituency.
The youths, under the aegis of Afaha Udoeyop Youths Mandate (AUYM) made the declaration in a press statement issued in Uyo on Thursday, where they also reaffirmed their support for Ikakke Bassey as their preferred choice for the Uyo Federal Constituency seat in 2027.
The statement which was signed by Emmanuel A. Obot, Mrs. Bonny P. Johnny and Comrade Edidiong Hanson on behalf of the youths of the community, noted that AUYM is a platform for progressive-minded youths of Afaha Udoeyop residing within the community and in the Diaspora
According to the youths, their decision was borne out of years of neglect and what they described as tokenistic gestures from politicians who only remember the community when elections draw near.
“We, the youths of Afaha Udoeyop residing within and in the Diaspora, have taken a firm stand. No afterthought electricity transformer will blind us again,” the statement read in part.
The youths specifically taunted the member representing Uyo Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Mark Esset, accusing him of failing to deliver meaningful representation to the people of Uyo Federal Constituency at large since assuming office.
They argued that while the community has continued to grapple with years of unemployment, poor road networks, lack of potable water, lack of electricity supply and absence of youth empowerment programmes, those in power have resorted to distributing palliatives and electrical equipment at the twilight of their tenure.
“An electricity transformer brought at the eleventh hour cannot erase years of darkness, both literally and figuratively. We have seen this pattern before. When elections approach, they bring one transformer, a few bags of rice, and expect us to forget our sufferings. That era is over,” the youths stated.
They maintained that Afaha Udoeyop, despite being a strategic and densely populated community in Ibesikpo Asutan local government area under the Uyo federal constituency, has not felt the impact of federal representation, stressing that genuine representation goes beyond sharing of items during festive seasons.
The statement further noted that the youths have resolved to support a candidate who understands their pains, lives among them, and has a clear blueprint for youth development, education, skills acquisition, and job creation.
It was on that basis, they said, that they are throwing their weight behind Ikakke Bassey for the Uyo Federal Constituency seat in 2027.
“We hereby reaffirm our total support for Ikakke Bassey of the Labour Party. He is not a stranger to our struggles. He has shown consistency, accessibility and genuine concern for the youths. We believe he represents the new kind of leadership Uyo, Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsit Atai and Uruan need” the statement added.
The youths described Bassey as a grassroots mobilizer with a track record of engaging young people, supporting education, and advocating for community development, adding that his emergence would bring a breath of fresh air to the constituency.
They called on other youths across Uyo, Uruan, Nsit Atai and Ibesikpo Asutan, which make up the Federal Constituency, to join the movement for change and reject what they termed “stomach infrastructure politics.”
“We are not against anybody, but we are against a system where our future is traded for an eleventh hour electric transformer. We must not be tricked again. Our votes are not for sale. Our conscience is not for sale,” they declared.
The forum also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and political stakeholders to ensure a free, fair and credible process in the build-up to the 2027 general elections, warning against vote-buying and intimidation.
They further appealed to elders, women and stakeholders in Afaha Udoeyop and environs to support the youth-driven movement, saying the future of the community depends on making the right choice in 2027.
“We have made up our minds. Afaha Udoeyop youths and our people are for Ikakke Bassey. No afterthought electricity transformer will blind us again,” the statement concluded.
Efforts to get the reaction of Hon. Mark Esset on the claims by the youths were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.