Another Set Back For Ekere Afia As Youth Roots For Bafil

The aspiration to represent Uyo Federal Constituency in the National Assembly by Hon Ekere Afia member representing Uyo state constituency in the House of Assembly suffered severe blow last week when a body of youths in Nsit Attai, one of the local government areas in the constituency dissociated itself from a purported endorsement of the aspirant by youths of the constituency recently.

Youths in Uyo Federal Constituency had on January 9,2010 at CKS , Willington Bassey Way convened, though not in a large number as would be expected, to endorse Hon. Ekere Afia as sole candidate for Uyo Federal Constituency and Governor Godswill Akapabio for a second term as governor of the state. The event though lacking in content and executive backing as Governor Godswill Akpabio allegedly dissociated himself from the said endorsement and restrained government apparatus from the venue, a situation that robbed the gathering of the presence of commissioners, special Advisers, or any representative of the governor. The youths issued a statement purported to be the stance of the youths of the constituency and endorsed Hon. Ekere Afia as the sole candidate for the constituency seat. Irked by the statement published in the media, the youths of Nsit Atai under the aegis of Concerned Youth Leaders in a statement dissociated itself from the endorsement; stating that the organizer of the endorsement led by one Mr. Udeme Ekot does not represent nor can he speak for the youth of the constituency.

The statement which was signed by eleven youths across Nsit Attai led by Mr. Samuel Bassey pledged their unflinching support to the third term ambition of Elder Bassey Etim which they said has protected the interest of the constituency especially in legislation and empowerment.

While calling on members of Uyo Federal Constituency to disregard the said endorsement and continue to support Elder Etim. The youth of Nsit Attai said they stand by the endorsement of Ibibio Elders on Governor Godswill Akpabio.

Global Concord later learnt that for Hon Elder Bassey Etim, it has been a harvest of supports from across the constituency following the inkling that he is interested in going for a third term as member representing the constituency. The paper also learnt that other groups in the constituency have declared their supports for the law maker behind closed door as the law maker is said to find solace in quiet lifestyle.

One of the group leaders in Ibesikpo Asutan who spoke with the paper said the harvest of supports by the law maker was sequel to his job creating strategy, accessibility and simplicity which have endeared him to his constituents.

“With the recommendation given to Elder Etim, the journey to the seat by Hon. Ekere Afia or any other contestant”, the Ibesikpo Asutan source who spoke on condition of dark identity reasoned, “may be far from being achieved in the next election”.