STAKEHOLDERS RALLY SUPPORT FOR TINUBU, ENO, AKPABIO AS ARISE WITH RENEWED HOPE INITIATIVE LAUNCHES IN IBIONO IBOM

…Ita Enang, Bassey Albert appointed into State Advisory Council

The chapter Coordinating Council of the ARISE With Renewed Hope Initiative has been inaugurated in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, amid strong endorsements from political leaders, stakeholders and residents.

The inauguration ceremony, held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Okoita, the council headquarters of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, was performed by the International Executive Council of the organisation led by its President General, Engr. Uwem Okoko.

The group , a political movement mobilising grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno, said the establishment of its chapter in Ibiono Ibom is part of its statewide grassroots mobilisation drive ahead of future elections.

Addressing the gathering, the President General of the Initiative, Engr. Uwem Okoko, commended President Tinubu for his goodwill towards Akwa Ibom State, particularly his support for the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. He also lauded the President’s economic reform agenda and the development strides of Governor Umo Eno, urging the people to sustain their support to enable them consolidate on ongoing developmental efforts.

Engr. Okoko also announced the appointment of two prominent sons of Ibiono Ibom, Senator Ita Enang and Senator Bassey Albert, as members of the State Elders Advisory Council of the Initiative.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Hon. Asuakak Umoh, who also serves as the Coordinator of the Initiative in the area, assured that the local government would deliver a resounding victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next elections.

He cited several projects executed by the administration of Governor Umo Eno in the area, including the Ikpanya–Use Ikot Amama Road, model primary schools, health centres, compassionate homes among others as reasons the people of Ibiono Ibom have resolved to support the Governor.

At the event, the Ibiono Ibom Legislative Council, led by its Leader, Hon. Idorenyin Umoren moved and adopted a motion endorsing the return of Governor Umo Eno to the Hilltop Mansion in 2027.

“What we did in 2023, we are ready to double the numbers. We are here to assure the Governor, the President and the Senate President that we are solidly behind them,” the Leader stated.

Delivering a tone setting message, the International Coordinator of the movement, Sir Udo Keirian Akpan, explained that the objective of the ARISE With Renewed Hope Initiative is to mobilise grassroots support to ensure victory for President Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno, the Senate President and other APC candidates in future elections.

Goodwill messages were delivered by several leaders and stakeholders, including Senator Bassey Albert; Senator Ita Enang, represented by the pioneer Secretary of APC in the State, Dr. Effiong Etuk; the member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ime Okon, represented by his wife; the member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon. Moses Essien; and other leaders such as Isantim Churchill Udo, Comrade Umoh Ekop, Obong Godwin Ekpo, Mr. Ime Ikpong, Obong Marcus Okuku and Dr. Iniobong Essien.

The speakers were emphatic in their resolve to ensure the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Umo Eno, while also rallying support for the return of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Speaking further, an APC chieftain from the area, Senator Albert, urged the President General of the Initiative to convey the message of the people to Governor Eno, assuring that Ibiono Ibom remained firmly behind him.

He said with opposition groups in the area collapsing into the APC, the votes recorded in the 2023 elections would be surpassed in the 2027 polls.

Describing Ibiono Ibom as a major vote basket, Senator Albert, popularly known as OBA, said stakeholders had resolved to defend, protect and vote massively for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno and other APC candidates in the next elections.

“I am extremely happy with the governor. He has shown that he is truly a man of God. His humane disposition has endeared him to the entire state. Whether you like it or not, he is now the governor of the entire state. We are all one now,” he said.

The Ibiono Ibom chapter executive of the Initiative has the Chairman of the Local Government, Hon. Asuakak Umoh, as Coordinator, alongside other members including Mr. Imoh Ekop, Barr. Anietie Bassey, Mr. Emeti John, Hon. Charles Bassey, Edidiong Umoh, Idara Ekpenyong, Hon. Mandu Eduese, Obonganwan Ofombuk Inyang, Helen Bassey, Elder Sunday Umoren and Mrs. Arit Sunday, among others.

The Advisory Council is chaired by Obong Daniel Udo, popularly known as ‘North-South’ with members including Isantim Churchill Udo, Asuakak Umoh, Chief Marcus Okuku, Hon. Aniedi Udofia, Obong Eyo Utit, Hon. Ekopimo Edet, Obong Nsima Umo, Akparawa Okon Imeh, Barr. Christine Akpan, Comrade Aniefiok Iwaudofia, Akparawa Idorenyin Raphael and Prince Charles Ememobong Essien.

The event also featured the inauguration of ward and unit structures across the 11 wards of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.