UYO 2019: OVER 30 GROUPS ENDORSE AKPARAWA JIMAIMAH ESSIEN AS SOLE CANDIDATE

                                       BY Henshaw Nyong.

* Thanks Gov Emmanuel For Insisting On Zoning

Ahead of the forthcoming election into the State House of Assembly, Akparawa Jimaimah Essien, has received the endorsement of over thirty (30) Socio-political groups even as the people promised to purchase the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) nomination form for the aspirant.

In the same vein, the people have lauded the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel for assuring that "PDP in the State will follow zoning to the later" in the forthcoming general elections and however, endorsed him for a second term in office.

According to reports from the Town Crier, the massive endorsement ceremony saw the Ifa Atai in Uyo abode of Akparawa Jimaimah Essien taken by storm by a massive crowd of PDP supporters even as the entire villagers defied economic and social activities to attend the epochal event.

Some of the groups present were; Peoples Democratic Youths Wing (Uyo), Uyo Integrated Movement, Friends of Akparawa Jimaimah Essien and Mega 31G reloaded.

Others were: Ifa Atai Group of Villages Football Club, Akparawa Jimaimah Essien Ambassadors (Uyo Chapter), Concerned Students for Jimaimah Essien 2019, Ata Mbon Jimaimah, Noble Women Group, Young Stars Forum, amongst others all came in their thousands displaying banners and portraits of Governor Udom Emmanuel and the man they have picked as their sole candidate for the State House of Assembly, Uyo State Constituency; Akparawa Jimaimah Jimmy Essien.

In their separate remarks, various speakers, including; the President of Peoples Democratic Youths Wing (PDYW), Uyo chapter; Mr Aniefiok Akpaeno (Mega), Mr Uwem Jerome, Ndifreke James (Flash) amongst others said the secret behind the endorsement of the United Kingdom based Mental Health Practitioner; Akparawa Jimaimah Essien, followed his humanitarian works, and ability to offer quality representation if elected.

Akparawa Essien's respect for elders stands him out among his contemporaries. They noted that their preferred Assembly hopeful has demonstrated penchant for philanthropy; and has taken Akwa Ibom youths abroad for education empowerment in the United Kingdom and as well registered foundation dedicated to the development of the youth, assist the orphans, elderly and physically-challenged people.

“Akparawa Jim Essien is ably armed with ideas; he has been on ground; his international exposure will enhance the development of Uyo”, Mr Akpaeno stated.

The people lauded Governor Udom Emmanuel for appointing no fewer than two sons of Etoi Clan from Mbak axis as his aides as well as the on-going construction of a road that will link the area with Uruan Local Government Area.

They noted that, in relation to the representation of their constituency in the State House of Assembly, they are united in agreement that Mbak axis that is currently producing a Councillor, PDP Ward Chairman, two PDP Chapter officers and two aides to Governor Emmanuel, has had more than its fair share of representation and therefore should allow Ifa Atai Group of Villages, to produce the next representative in the State House of Assembly.

While noting that Jimaimah, from Ifa Group of Villages, has all it takes towards ensuring that the people of Uyo enjoy dividends of democracy if elected, the groups said they have commenced a high level of sensitization towards ensuring that he emerges the candidate to beat in the forthcoming House of Assembly poll.

Responding, Akparawa Jimaimah Essien, expressed appreciation to members of the groups for the overwhelming show of solidarity towards him and urged them to continue supporting the government of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Essien, who is the progenitor of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio in Manchester, United Kingdom and several other countries in Europe, pointed out that he is seeking election to enable him consolidate on the numerous achievements as a private individual over the years, especially as it concerns Healthcare, Youths empowerment and Investments promotion.

He urged all residents and supporters of the PDP to remain calm, focus and avoid violence in their quest to install a more efficient, effectual accessible Assemblyman in Uyo.

While assuring the people of a robust representation and performance as their lawmaker, Akparawa Jimaimah Essien also used the occasion to advise all eligible voters who have not yet collected their Permanent Voter Cards ( PVCs ) to proceed to their ward offices where the cards are now available for collection, warning them not to sell or give out their PVCs as that is their only tool to re-elect Governor Udom Emmanuel and also vote for him (Jimaimah).

Meanwhile, apart from Akparawa Essien who is from Ifa Group of Villages, another contender is the current occupant of the office; Hon Monday Eyo Okon (Murray). He is not favoured by his party's zoning arrangement.

Hon Anietie Eka from Mbak axis that is currently producing the Ward's Councillor, PDP Ward Chairman and two Aides to the Governor is also in the race. Hon Eka is a former Councillor who served Ex-Governor Godswill Akpabio as Special Assistant and is currently the SA on Projects Monitoring to Governor Udom Emmanuel.

The people have however, resolved to put an end to monopoly of power by the people of Mbak axis by ensuring that the next House of Assembly member emerges from Ifa Atai axis

.