Beyond All Odds: Mrs. Udoedehe Campaigns Ikot Ekpene

The wife of Senator John Akpanudoedehe has taken her husband's campaign to become the governor of the state in 2011 to her Ikot Ekpene country home when she recently paid visit to Ikot Inyang village in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Against attempt by cult groups and thugs alleged to have been sponsored by some incumbent's top shots in Ikot Ekpene, Mrs. Udoedehe was received by her village head, Chief Sunday Udo Dickson, her parents, Apostle and Mrs. Bernard U. Amamah and other members of her community. Mrs. Udoedehe was accompanied by members of the women wing of the Positive Change Campaign Organization, the campaign team of Sen. Udoedehe, led by Obongawan Victoria Effiong Eberefiak, the national woman leader of the group.

The occasion witnessed a large turnout of friends and supporters of Senator Udoedehe's governorship ambition in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. Speaking in the occasion, Mrs. Udoedehe said that the visit was for her to consult with the people of her community and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District on the 2011 governorship ambition of her husband, Senator Akpanudoedehe and receive the blessing of her people.

She listed the achievement of her husband in Uyo Local Government Council as the Chairman, Senator and as a minister, saying that her husband will do more for the state if given the opportunity to serve.

She traced the governorship ambition of her husband to the general insecurity in the state, unemployment and the under-development adding that the present administration has not been able to address the issue of marginalization, insecurity among other vices threatening the state

She bemoaned the suffering of women and youths of the state, noting that her husband will create enabling environment for businesses to thrive. On the issue of zoning she said that the argument has no basis as she is also from the Annang speaking tribe and will use her office as the first lady of the state to transform things in the area, noting that at the moment, the area cannot speak of many good roads or infra-structural development because the incumbent first lady is not from the area and cannot feel the pulse of the women and youths there.

Responding, the village head, Chief Sunday Udo Dickson thanked Mrs. Udoedehe for the visit, saying that it has ended the rumor of her husband's governorship ambition in the 2011 election, adding that she has confirm the ambition to be true.

He solicited for the construction of the road leading to the community when he becomes the state governor in 2011. Apostle Dickson prayed for the success of Sen. Udoedehe in the poll. the visit which was billed for St Peters Catholic Primary School, Ikot Inyang, had to be shifted to the palace of the village head following security report to the visitor that thugs were hired to disrupt the exercise after demolishing the venue before her arrival. Apart from canopies, table, chairs that were destroyed by the paid cult groups, a Nisan Bluebird with registration no.

CF 894 PHC belonging to one Mr. Solomon Udo, a relative of Mrs. Udoedehe was vandalized. An eye witness from the community who pleaded anonymity said that the thugs were led by an Ikot Ekpene motor park Chief. Reacting to the incident, senator Udoedehe said he was not worried about the incident except that security agents in the state must rise to the challenge of the occasion. As a citizen of Akwa Ibom, the former minister said he was entitled to take his aspiration to anywhere in the state since his programmes will improve lives there too.

Sen.Udoedehe however warned incumbent Gov. Godswill Akpabio to call his men to order against further intimidation and harassment of his programes for the interest of the state. Speaking further, he said: “I know what he is trying to do.

He is an Anang man and I am an Ibibio man. If I don't campaign in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, quote me, He will not campaign in any Ibibio local government in this state. I mean what I'm saying''. The police and other security agencies in the state have been called launch investigation on the dastard act with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.