Stakeholders of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency have endorsed the member representing the area in the House of Representatives, Hon. Unyime Idem, as consensus candidate ahead of the 2027 National Assembly election.
The endorsement was announced at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Idem’s residence in Uyo, where political leaders and community stakeholders from the federal constituency met to deliberate on the future of the area.
The motion for Idem’s endorsement was moved by the Honorary Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters, Rt. Hon. Udo Kieran Akpan, and seconded by a former member representing Ukanafun State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Saturday Akpan.
It was adopted through a unanimous voice vote by stakeholders at the meeting.
The stakeholders said Idem’s performance in office had justified another term, citing his projects, empowerment programmes and interventions in the constituency.
They said his representation had positioned Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency as a model for legislative service delivery and urged constituents to support his re-election bid.
The stakeholders also adopted President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno as their candidates for re-election in the 2027 polls.
Speakers at the event, including one of the aspirants, Dr David Umoessien, called for unity among constituents and party members ahead of the elections.
They urged members of the All Progressives Congress in the federal constituency to close ranks and work for the success of the President, Senate President, Governor and the federal lawmaker.
Responding, Idem thanked the stakeholders for their support and said the endorsement was a call to consolidate on the gains already recorded in the constituency.
He said his achievements were made possible through the support and cooperation of the people.
“There is no way I could have done much without the support and cooperation of my people. This declaration is about sustaining and expanding the development we have collectively achieved,” he said.
Idem said his programmes and projects included empowerment schemes, skills training, local and foreign scholarships, facilitation of federal employment for constituents, donation of 25 units of 500 kVa transformers, rehabilitation and restoration of electricity, and efforts to connect communities in the constituency to the national grid.
He urged the people to reject divisive tendencies and remain united for the progress and development of the area.
Idem formally declared his intention to seek re-election into the House of Representatives, saying his decision was driven by the need to deepen development in the constituency.
He said his aspiration aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda for Akwa Ibom State.
On efforts to unite the APC ahead of the primaries, Idem said he had reached out to other contenders, who had promised to work with him to ensure victory for the party.
He also expressed appreciation to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno for their support and leadership.
In what was described as a boost to his re-election bid, Dr David Umoessien, one of the leading contenders for the seat, stepped down and pledged his support structure to Idem.
Idem also announced a nine-member reconciliation committee to bring aggrieved members of the APC in the federal constituency together ahead of the party primaries.
The committee is chaired by Deacon Ndianabasi Udom, with Dr Paul Udofia as secretary. Other members are Dr Amadu Attai, Dr Effiong Udongwo, Dr Godwin Inyieng, Dr Idongesit Etiebet, Elder Samuel Akpan, Barr. Kemfon Udonneke and Obonganwan Iniobong Udongwo.
The meeting was attended by several political and community leaders, including Hon. Emem Udom, member representing Ukanafun State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly; Hon. Uyo Ukpanah, Executive Chairman of Ukanafun Local Government Council; Dr Ekem Emmanuel John, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Health; Chief Senas Ukpanah, former Minister of National Planning; and other stakeholders from Ukanafun and Oruk Anam.
