All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in the old Ikom Division have counselled the Senator representing Cross River Central senatorial district, Eteng Jonas William, ahead of 2027 general election, promising to stand by him for the second term.
The old Ikom comprising Ikom, Etung and Boki local government areas of Cross River State, expressed worry at the distribution of some constituency projects and called on Senator Eteng to ensure every ward and unit benefits from the dividends of democracy.
The stakeholders, made up of party chieftains from across the 32 Wards of the division, unanimously agreed that Eteng should step up his game, promising to give him total support for equity, fairness and unity of Cross River Central senatorial district.
Speaking at a strategic meeting held at Chief Ebuta Ayuk’s residence at Effraya in Etung local government area of the State, some of the stakeholders acknowledged that Central senatorial district is the heartbeat of APC in Cross River and, therefore, there was urgent need to integrate old Ikom in the scheme of things and give them a sense of belonging.
Speaking separately on behalf of Etung stakeholders, Hon. Bisong Achon, who is a former House of Assembly member and former Vice Chairman, and Dr Inok Kuti Ebak, former Etung Council chairman, commended Senator Eteng Williams for deeming it fit to call for this kind of strategic stakeholders meeting.
They further advised him to work with the right stakeholders, ensure that the constituency projects touch at least each ward if possible and try to be responsive to constituents to give them that sense of belonging, promising to work with him for his second coming.
They described Eteng as water that has no enemy, but advised him further to double his effort in bringing in more dividends of democracy.
Speaking on behalf of Ikom local government stakeholders, Francis Bojor Ndifon, President General Ekpeche Nkome, Paul Agbor Ogar and Moses Edim advised him to attend social gatherings and mix with people at the nick of time.
According to them, all the constituents cannot come to Abuja, but once the Senator picks their calls everything will be taken care of.
They stated that Ikom people have enough capacity to galvanise and work for him ahead of 2027 but needs to work together in execution of projects and empowernment programmes to integrate the constituents.
Maintaining that the meeting is very imperative, they appealed to Senator to work on the security situation in the Central to avoid repeat of Benue and Plateau mayhem as their forests are occupied by Fulani miners and herders.
They equally called on the Senator to use his good position to attract some youth skills acquisition and training programme to reduce increasing youth employment problem.
On their part, Boki local government spokesperson,
Rev Dr Chris Bisong of Ekpaji ward, and Elder chief Agbor Edun of Ugep ward, said there is need for political dividends to get across to all constituents, expressing gratitude that Senator Eteng came down in person to dialogue, interact and celebrate with the people during the Easter season.
The Boki leaders also advised the Senator to prioritise his projects and fraternise with the people so as to know their problem and challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the women group, Abu Rita Obi, from Alankwu ward in Boki, said the women should be carried along as they also worked assiduously for the Senator’s emergence.
Commending the stakeholders for their frankness, Hon. Cyril Omin, Yakurr 1 state constituency, said: “We in Yakurr are not ready to lose our Senator nor ready to fail. If he fails, Yakurr nation has failed. The devil we know is better than that Angel you think you know.
“Eteng is just about two years in office even as about six months were lost to court cases. We need to manage what we have as long as that person is willing to change.
” Eteng helps but does not believe in singing his praises. Our Senator has done fairly well compared to his years in the Senate. Central cannot be destabilised. The Senator may not have been visible but let the liaison officers be alive to their responsibilities by following up with calls and requests for assistance.”
He called on all stakeholders present to give him a chance and work with him for a better central, advising them to also sacrifice for a better society.
Addressing the stakeholders at his residence at Effraya, in Etung local government area, Chief Ebuta Ayuk, an APC chieftain, said: “Everybody has spoken well and what transpired here today is a demonstration of true democracy because people have expressed their feelings.
“Politics is a game that you tell people how you feel. I commend everybody who have spoken and we can understand their feelings. We will continue to learn in this game. The central speaks in one voice and we are the strength of APC in the state.
“If the central has a crack, the state has a crack. But let us not compromise what God has given to us freely. Enemies can come from anywhere, but please let us be frank with other leaders who are not here. We must be ready to cause the integration we want.
“From today, everything old has passed away. We are going to have a brand new Senator Eteng Jones from now onwards. Try and be on the same page with everybody working with you. It is our duty to protect and stand by him no matter what.
“Today, it has moved to old Obubra and if we do not support him until that time comes, we in the old Ikom will also have issues. We should all work and see beyond Eteng. That devil you call Eteng Jones is better than that Angel you think you know. Eteng is very humble and homely. We should forget and forgive his shortcomings which are human.
“These are the people of old Ikom and we are not fake people because we are not to an extent poor people. But our input in politics suggests that we stand to benefit from where we have sowed.
“So far, Senator has not done well for old Ikom and given the opportunity again you will do well. Please listen to our people because when the Governor knows you are not doing well he will have his way, but if the people are with you, they will stand by you.
“I assure the Senator that the old Ikom will stand by him ahead of 2027 and work assiduously for his second term when the time comes.”
Responding, Senator Eteng Jonas Williams, said: “Everybody has spoken. I have heard the advise and will return and have our inner meetings to start work. We will get down to work with my people and will correct all issues raised. I will step up my game. I am one of you let us work as central and move forward.
“This meeting shall be quarterly so that we can rub minds. You have sacrificed to be here for central to move forward. In the spirit of Easter, I have mobilised a contractor to build a toilet for the police station at Ikom.
“I have visited the Holy Family Hospital Ikom, and paid hospital bills of over N3m to sone patients who could not afford it. All these are in the spirit of the celebration.”
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