…says it’s the turn of Ediene Itak to produce State Assembly member_
By Ediomo Japheth
UYO — It was a day of encouragement and reassurance for the Labour Party in Akwa Ibom State as the State Chairman, Obonganwan (Mrs.) Freena Akpanusong, on Tuesday, 10th November, 2026, received the party’s candidate for Ikono State Constituency, Comrade Danielson Akpan, at the State Secretariat in Uyo.
The former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had come on a consultative visit to the State Executive Committee ahead of the official flagoff of his campaign activities, and the State Chairman did not hide her delight at the maturity and party discipline displayed by the candidate.
Welcoming Comrade Akpan, Obonganwan Akpanusong appreciated the State Assembly hopeful for deeming it necessary to consult the party first before beginning his campaigns. She said the visit was a clear sign that the candidate understands and respects party supremacy, and that such conduct is what the Labour Party expects from all its flagbearers.
She assured Comrade Danielson of all the needed support throughout the electioneering period, noting that the party will stand firmly behind its candidates.
According to the State Chairman, the Labour Party is ready to mount a serious challenge for the Ikono seat in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly in 2027, and the early consultation by its candidate has placed the party on a strong footing ahead of the campaigns.
Addressing the State Executive Committee, Comrade Akpan said the consultation was not a mere formality, but a deliberate step to carry the party along and to build a united front before the campaigns begin in earnest. He said no candidate can succeed without the full backing of the party structure from the ward to the state level.
He told the party leadership that his aspiration is driven by a deep desire to change the narrative of representation in Ikono, which he said has suffered years of backwardness occasioned by lack of effective representation.
“Our people have suffered years of backwardness because of lack of effective representation,” Akpan lamented.
He added: “We have had people who went to the House of Assembly and forgot the people who sent them there. That era must end. Ikono deserves a voice that will be heard, a voice that will fight for our people and bring back dividends of democracy to our communities.”
He pledged to deliver people-oriented representation if elected into the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, promising that his tenure would be anchored on accessibility, accountability and direct engagement with constituents.
“I am not going to the House to represent myself or a few individuals. I am going to represent the market woman in Ediene, the farmer in Ibiaku, the student, the artisan and the unemployed youth. My representation will be people-oriented. My office will be open to everybody,” he assured.
Comrade Akpan said he is campaigning on the basis of capacity, content and character, three qualities he said are missing in the politics of the area.
“While I am campaigning on the basis of capacity, content and character, I am also favoured by zoning,” he said.
Explaining further, he noted that Ediene Itak zone, where he comes from, has not been represented in the State Assembly for over twenty years now, despite being a major bloc in Ikono Local Government Area.
According to him, Ediene Itak zone has consistently supported other zones in the past, and it is only fair and just that the zone be allowed to produce the next member representing Ikono State Constituency.
“Ediene Itak zone where I come from has not been represented in the State Assembly for over twenty years now. We have been patient. We have been loyal. We have supported others. Now is the time for equity, fairness and justice. It is the turn of Ediene Itak, and I am presenting myself as a credible candidate from that zone,” he declared to a loud applause.
Comrade Akpan therefore called on the youths and women of Ikono to take ownership of the campaign, saying they are the greatest beneficiaries of good representation through jobs, skills acquisition, education support and empowerment programmes.
Also speaking, the State Leader of the Labour Party, Obong (Dr.) Uduakobong Udoh, expressed his belief in Danielson’s capacity to deliver people-oriented representation to the people of Ikono LGA.
“He has capacity, he has content, and he has character. We believe he will not disappoint Ikono if given the mandate,” Udoh said.
Others who spoke included the Ikono LP Leader, Obong Ita George, who assured the meeting that Ikono is fully mobilized for the Labour Party and that the grassroots structures in the area are ready for the campaigns.
Present during the meeting were the State Secretary, Elder Unwana Isaiah, the State Youth Leader – Uyo Senatorial District, Comrade Mmenyene Peter, amongst others.
