Stakeholders of the Oron Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State have declared support for the re-election bids of President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, citing their achievements as the basis for their endorsement.
The stakeholders, comprising traditional rulers, community leaders, and members of the academia, also threw their weight behind Hon. Martin Esin, the member representing the constituency in the National Assembly, endorsing him for a second term in the Green Chamber.
They further appealed to Governor Umo Eno to consider retaining Senator Akon Eyakenyi as Deputy Governor.
The Oron Federal Constituency comprises five local government areas: Oron, Mbo, Okobo, Udung Uko, and Urue-Offong/Oruko.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement on the University of Maritime Studies held in Uyo on Sunday, the former Sole Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Effiong Akwa, lauded President Bola Tinubu for implementing bold economic reforms under his “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which he said have fostered long-term fiscal stability and boosted foreign investment.
He also commended the leadership of the 10th Senate under Senator Godswill Akpabio, as well as Governor Umo Eno, for their inclusive leadership across party lines.
“Senator Akpabio and our Governor, Umo Eno, have demonstrated inclusive leadership, which has greatly impacted our people,” he said.
Akwa further praised Hon. Martin Esin for his effective representation of the Oron Federal Constituency and called for his endorsement for a second term.
Similarly, former Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, Senator Nelson Effiong, commended President Tinubu, Senator Akpabio, and Governor Eno, noting that their leadership has positively impacted Nigerians.
Other speakers who supported the endorsement included former members representing Oron Federal Constituency, Hon. Sir Esio Oquong Udoh and Chief (Barr.) Peter Linus Umoh, as well as former Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, among others.
Moving the motion for the endorsement, the Chief Whip of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. (Chief) Effiong Johnson, flanked by other members of the House, said
“In view of the laudable achievements of Mr. President, the Senate President, our Governor Umo Eno, and the worthy representation of Hon. Martin Esin, I hereby move a motion for their endorsement for another term.”
The motion was seconded by the Executive Chairman of Urue-Offong/Oruko Local Government Council, Rt. Hon. (Chief) Uno Etim Uno, alongside other local government chairmen of Oro extraction.
Meanwhile, in a communiqué issued at the end of the engagement, stakeholders expressed concern over the non-implementation of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron Act, which was assented to by the late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
They, however, expressed profound gratitude to Rep. Martin Esin for his sustained efforts toward the actualisation of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron (UMSO), and commended other stakeholders and groups contributing to the cause.
The stakeholders also frowned at the continued budgetary provisions and statutory allocations to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria despite its abolition by law and the establishment of UMSO in its place.
They resolved that the Federal Government should:
Implement the UMSO Act and end non-compliance with the law
Ensure the immediate take-off of UMSO
Constitute a Governing Council for the institution
Appoint a Vice-Chancellor and other principal officers.
