Uodate

Ika Local Government Area backs Pastor Umo Eno

..as Rt. Hon. Gabriel Toby returns to PDP

By: Abasiama Umoh

Joining the train to declare support to Pastor Umo Eno is the entire stakeholders and people of Ika Local Government Area.

Setting the tone for the event, the Executive Chairman, Ika Local Government Area, Hon. Malachy Ukpe informed that “today we came to receive Rt. Hon. Gabriel Toby, a former House of Assembly Member alongside his team of supporters back to the Peoples Democratic Party fold”.

The Executive Chairman stated that the former Lawmaker only went to experiment with another party and is back with feedback to indicate that no other party is as united, coordinated and development – oriented as PDP.

Receiving Rt. Hon. Gabriel Toby back into the Party, Ika PDP Chapter Chairman, Hon. Iboro Nelson eulogised the Former Lawmaker as a good man full of humility and dexterity, saying that his coming back to the Party is ultimately to unit the Party in Ika as he has always been doing. He further stressed that, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Toby was a unifying factor in PDP and his defection was a sad occurrence, but his return has brought a change in the narrative.

Welcoming Rt. Hon. Gabriel Toby and his team of supporters numbering over 500 into the party, the State Party Chairman, Elder Aniekan Akpan lamented the sadness that characterized his defection to APC as at the time. He expressed delight for his timely return to the party, emphasising that his coming back to the Party is a plus and a show of how less significant APC is in the State.

Appreciating Rt. Hon. Gabriel Toby for a step taken in the right direction, the Former Attorney General, Mr. Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN, observed that, Hon. Gabriel Toby is a man whose good deeds when he was in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly continues to endure till today. He added that, Hon. Toby is a good man, a dedicated and committed team player. The former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General also expressed the unwavering support of the entirety of Ika people to the Governorship aspiration of Pastor Umo Eno.

Stating reasons behind his return to the party, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Toby noted that his return to the party is in recognition of the development strides of His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel, the all inclusive politics and fatherly role displayed by Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem and the love showered on him by the State Party Chairman, Elder Aniekan Akpan, adding that PDP remains the only political party that has provided visionary and directional leadership to Akwa Ibom people over the years.

Hon. Gabriel Toby decried the instability associated with APC, pledging to remain loyal to the party, as his coming back shall be to join hands in building the Party. He regretted his defection to APC on the account that his going to APC has brought him no significant gain. He established that whatever he is today was made possible on the platform of the PDP. Recalling that, he became Councillor and House of Assembly Member on the platform of the PDP.

The Member Representing Abak Federal Constituency, Hon. Aniekan Umanah and Member Representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency joinly welcomed the former lawmaker back to the party, saying that Rt. Hon. Toby is a good man and a material worth having in the party.

In his remarks, while eulogising the sterling qualities of Rt. Hon. Gabriel Toby, the Chairman, Maintain Peace Movement, MPM, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem expressed joy over Hon. Gabriel Toby’s return to the Party, describing Hon. Toby as a good Man and a stabilizing factor in the politics of Ika.

The in – coming Senator for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem noted that it is not out of place to make mistakes, but the inability to acknowledge and correct same is what is most denigrating. Adding in the same that, Hon. Gabriel Toby has recognised and corrected his mistake making him a man full of foresight.

The Maintain Peace Boss maintained that Pastor Umo Eno remains the sole aspirant for Governorship come 2023, urging Ika people to remain steadfast and consistent in their support to the Governor’s succession plan and completion agenda.

To witness the event were: Chairman Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, Mr. Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN, PDP State Chairman, Elder Aniekan Akpan, Member Representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/ Ika Federal Constituency, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, Member Representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency, Hon. Mfon Idung, Honourable Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Imoh Moffat, Executive Chairman, Ika Local Government Area, Hon. Malachy Ukpe, Ika PDP Chapter Chairman, Hon. Iboro Nelson, Etim Ekpo PDP Chapter Chairman, Hon. Aniekan Dan, Hon. Udeme Eduo, Hon. Anthony Udousung, Cat. Biatus Udofia, Hon. Dr. Sunday Oyomette, Otuekong Wils Inyang, Hon. Mrs. Inibehe Silas, Mrs. Victoria Mel, Mr. Ernest Essien, Apostle Samuel Noah, Bishop Bassey Akpan, Hon. Francis Idungafa, Hon. Richard Jonathan. Elders, Women groups, Youths, amongst others.