The people of Uyo federal constituency across political parties met for a breakfast meeting on Saturday, 20th January 2018, at plot 48, L-line, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo.
The meeting was convened by Hon.(Obong) Kufreabasi Etuk, (HOKE) immediate past member that represented Uruan in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
The meeting had about 186 invited guests in attendance. Notable among them were, Dr. Emayak Ukpong, former member House of Representatives; Col. Edet Ekoi (Rtd); Mr. Edwin Joseph, former member Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly; Dr. Donatus Okon, former Commissioner for Education; Obong Perry Ntuk, and Elder Gabriel Akpan, federal Board members.
Others were, Mr. Ekerette Ekpenyong, Bishop Ekpe James Arc. Essien Nkanga, Obong S.A Essoh, Obong Nyong Udo, Hon. Inyang Essien, Hon. Alhaji Abdulsalami Bassey, Hon. Vincent Udoh, Akparawa Ekpoimo Okono, Hon. Ubong Ime, Hon. Akpan Iba, Hon. Sunny Udokang, Obong Nyong Udo, Dr. Itoro Noah, Elder Edet Okon Etim, Hon. Ubong Ime, Otuekong Bonny Nyong, Hon. Sylvester Harry, Barr. Udeme Ekot, Obongawan Mary Essien, Chief Monday Ben, Obongawan Florence Wellyns, Owoedimo George, George Okon Ibia, Esitima Udosen, Ewongo Frank, Ekpo James Udo, Anthony Bassey, Joe Pastor, Joseph Edet, Prince Emmanuel Sam, among others.
The meeting deliberated and considered the following:
1. That in 2019 Uyo federal constituency will take her turn to produce the senator that will represent Uyo senatorial district. It was noted that Etinan and Itu/Ibiono Ibom federal constituencies have done two terms each at the senate. Consequently, elders, youth and women were encouraged to rouse the consciousness of voters in Uyo federal constituency to this position.
2. That Uyo federal constituency will support any political party that fields a credible candidate from Uyo federal constituency for the Uyo senatorial seat in 2019. Elders, youth and the women resolved to work closely with their respective political parties to bring out a young, credible and sellable candidate for the senatorial election.
3. That elders of Uyo federal constituency should meet and collectively consider zoning of major elective offices in the federal constituency between the four local government areas. This was considered very important to guard against avoidable in-fighting within the federal constituency.
4. That the federal constituency has been marginalised in key appointments made so far by the federal and state governments. Consideration was that, Atai Uyo will be opened to negotiation with any political party or candidate that will show serious interest in its development and people.
5. That the people of Uyo federal constituency across political parties must unite and work hard to attract development to the area. Participants observed that discrimination along political party lines amongst the people of the federal constituency has had a pervasive effect on the political growth and development of Atai Uyo. The need to raise awareness to the fact that Uyo federal constituency has lost its position as being the federal constituency with the highest number of votes was considered – extensive political education and mobilisation were recommended as panaceas to rail-road Uyo federal constituency back to its first position.
5. That the senator representing Uyo senatorial district should call the attention of governments to development needs in the senatorial district; and further amplify the earnest desire of the people of Atai Uyo to have the State government complete the Ibom Tropicana entertainment centre and other projects abandoned in the senatorial district.
6. Youth of Atai Uyo were encouraged to be weary of, and resist the recurring antics where privileged persons used them to insult people in positions of authority, and inflame crisis in the State. The gathering cautioned youth to avoid meddling into the purported feud between the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and his predecessor, Senator Godswill Akpabio. It was noted from previous experiences that youth were always at the losing end each time there was a feud between past and serving leaders in the State.