USDIA calls on Gov. Umo Eno over the sabotage of AKISCOM by opposition, allege the Lagos liaison officer of prejudice
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USDIA calls on Gov. Umo Eno over the sabotage of AKISCOM by opposition, allege the Lagos liaison officer of prejudice
….seek redress
By Naomi Onome
Uyo Senatorial District Indigenes’ Association (USDIA) at a press conference held on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025, in Lagos addressed concerns over the malicious attempt by an opposition, namely Akwa Ibom North East Consultative Forum (AKNECF), to restructure the already recognized and authorized USDIA.
The press conference conducted at the Akwa Ibom State Community (AKISCOM) hall in Lagos had members, executive members, and stakeholders of the association in attendance. The speech as delivered by the President General of USDIA, Chief Matthew Udoheyop expressed displeasure over the Liaison officers’ role in favor of the opposition ‘AKNECF’ without due consultation and a fair hearing before his alignment with the AKNECF leading to sabotage, division, and further victimization experienced by USDIA.
The speech made reference to the fact that Gov. Umo Eno might be oblivious to the fact of the matter on ground, hence the public outcry by USDIA for his involvement to set the records straight. Moreover, the governor of Akwa-Ibom State hails from the Uyo Senatorial District, where his office is premised, which makes USDIA a standing and recognized body to oversee the affairs of Akwa Ibom indigenes in Lagos State and diaspora.
Other parts of the speech read:
“The purpose of this important gathering with members of the press today is to correct the negative impressions about the Uyo Senatorial District Indigenes’ Association in Lagos.”
“We have noticed, with great sadness, the divisive and malicious attempt to restructure the Uyo Senatorial District Indigene’s Association in Lagos by the elements of the Akwa Ibom North East Consultative Forum, AKNECF, in Lagos.”
“We are seriously irked over the current Liaison Officer’s political alignment of favoring our opposition, Akwa Ibom North East Consultative Forum (AKNECF), Lagos, against USDIA, the recognized Association in Lagos.”
“We are also using the media to enlighten and educate others on the activities of the Uyo Senatorial District Indigene’s Association, here in Lagos.”
“We started as a community of all sons and daughters of the 9 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State extraction here in Lagos, namely in no particular order : Uyo, Uruan, Ibiono Ibom, Ibesikpo/Asutan, Nsit Ibom, Nsit Ubium, Nsit Atai, Etinan, and Itu.”
“We have been in existence in Lagos for the past 13 years, and we are registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with registration number 7074814 as Uyo Senatorial District Indigenes’ Association, USDIA, Lagos Chapter.”
“Our aims and objectives as a socio-cultural, economic, and welfare development group are our concerns about the welfare and economic development of our people in the 9 local government areas.”
“Over the years within our lean financial base, we have been able to unite, improve, and manage the welfare of our members and non-members.”
“We are one of the stakeholders in the Akwa Ibom State Community, AKISCOM, Lagos, the umbrella body of all Akwa Ibom people. The essential components of AKISCOM are the local government areas and the 3 senatorial districts, namely, Uyo , Ikot Ekpene, and Eket senatorial districts, and the chapters”.
“Recently, we heard that the leader of a separatist political group in Lagos, Akparawa Ubong Jackson Essien, told members of his political gathering that he doesn’t recognize Uyo Senatorial District in Lagos but recognizes Ikot Ekpene and Eket Senatorial Districts.”
“Of course we wouldn’t expect him to say otherwise as a separatist leader who is orchestrating division, destruction, blackmail, and impunity among a peaceful community as Uyo Senatorial District, who never supported imposition or disintegration crises, impunity, discrimination, and cheating, hence his statement.”
“Let it be on record that Otuekong Ubong Jackson, who sponsored candidates to take over AKISCOM during the 2023 AKISCOM election, cannot say any good thing about our community because we didn’t support his selfish ambition. They thought we were that type of group that put to death his abortive group of selfish, ambitious, discriminative, and thuggery drive to take over AKISCOM in 2023.”
“We were not the ones but the entire Akwa Ibom people who know the evils he has been doing. A man who boasts that the government of Akwa Ibom State is sponsoring him can go any length to achieve his evil ambitions.”
“One wonders if the government has given him so much money. Why is he not using such money to help or support the masses of downtrodden Akwa Ibomites in Lagos rather than channeling it to destroy, divide, disunite, discriminate, blackmail, and politically terrorize Akwa Ibom groups in Lagos?
“We have disagreed with him. Our governor, who is a man of integrity, fairness, equity, and inclusivity, cannot sponsor Otuekong Ubong Jackson and his group of failed election candidates to continue causing crisis, division, segregation, and disunity among a peaceful coexisting people and group.”
“He is a liar, a deceiver, a destroyer, a political bandit, and an opportunist. We have to expose him and his collaborators now. Their attempt in Uyo Senatorial District Indigene’s Association failed when his ally, a former General Secretary of Uyo Senatorial District, Akparawa Uwem Idaha (as we know him in Uyo Senatorial District, but known elsewhere as Uwem George Umana), who is presently a member of the BOT of USDIA, came to the next meeting to upturn the decision of the BOT, stakeholders, and the general house. Today, he is the political thuggery and adviser of Otuekong Ubong Jackson. Come to imagine, birds of the same feather are flocking together.”
“As I was appointing Electoral Committee Members, a member moved a motion that the current regime should continue their second term in office because of their track record. A counter motion was also moved. Both motions were supported. At that instance, an election was conducted for and against The house overwhelmingly voted for continuation with 21 votes, while those against had only 7 votes out of 31 voters. A motion was thereby moved, supported by more than 2/3 (two-thirds) majority of the members present to step down the section and was carried”.
“USDIA is recognized worldwide. We must not support political thuggery, invasion, and manipulation of a few people.”
“Finally, if the government of Akwa Ibom State supports these people
In any way, it’s a monumental error that must not be allowed to thrive as we are struggling to get away from bad governance, corruption, fraud, and political banditry.”
“Our governor, Pastor Umo Eno, is a God-sent man to Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, and the world. He is a man of integrity, uprightness, friendliness, inclusivity, kind-heartedness, and love.”
“We are supporting his giant strides performance 200%. He is our father, brother, and patron. We will not allow him to play into the hands of opportunists and blackmailers using the party to blackmail others while their heads are in one party and their legs in another party. We don’t talk about political parties but good governance, which our indefatigable governor is demonstrating to Nigeria”.
In addition, stakeholders and executives related their input in the ongoing crisis to buttress reasons why the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, should not treat the matters arising with kid gloves to halt the negative attempts by AKNECF against USDIA.
In relativeness, it was noted that Otuekong Ubong Jackson, the chaperone of the AKNECF course, is ably aided by the Liaison officer, Mr Samuel Asuquo and that he (the liaison officer) should not use his office to align with the splinter group of the formidable AKISCOM in Lagos State. The letter sent to Gov. Umo Eno as regards the rumors causing damage to the image of the AKISCOM also awaits a favorable response.
Contributions were unanimously made by Chief Matthew Udoheyop, Chief Elijah Ifot, Obonganwan Elizabeth Udoheyop, Sir Asuquo Inuikim, Elder Monday King, Akparawa (Barr) Cletus Obong Eyo-Udo, Pastor Gabriel Moses Bassey, Prince Okon Edet, Elder Edohoukwa, Chief Edet Ambang, Akparawa Gospel Etim, Mr. Idong Stephen, Akparawa-anwan Uduak Young, Prince Edet Etim and Elder Edohoukwa, during the press conference organized by the Uyo Senatorial District Indigene’s Association.
The stakeholders clearly stated that the slander of USDIA is an insult to the office of Gov. Umo Eno, and Uyo Senatorial District should be accorded its due regard. Caution the Lagos State Liaison officer over being deceived by the opposition.
Extra
It should be noted that the former military president of Nigeria, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, gave authorization for the permanent site of AKISCOM in Lagos after operating from a temporary location. USDIA is rising up against the opposition to affirm the stands of AKISCOM in Lagos.
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