Ahead of the 2027 general elections, stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State’s Esit Eket Local Government Area have declared a united political stance and demanded the preservation and responsible management of resources intended for oil-bearing communities.
The call was made on Wednesday at a Town Hall Meeting, which brought together local leaders, politicians, women, young people, and business owners to talk about issues related to development and governance.
The Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) Fund was the specific issue he brought up.
He pointed out that it must not be mismanaged because it is intended to promote development in communities that produce oil.
Eyiboh stated, “We are here to give everyone a platform to ask questions, look for answers, and participate in every act of civil and political rights unimpeded.”
He warned against any kind of deception or governance violation, adding that stakeholders must continue to be watchful and make sure the fund fulfills its objectives.
Additionally, Eyiboh insisted that host communities should fully benefit from resources derived from their surroundings and urged the appropriate authorities to look into alleged irregularities in the fund’s management.
Additionally, participants publicly expressed their support for the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senator Ekong Sampson, and Hon. Okpolupm Etteh, the member representing the federal constituency, before 2027.
Speaking earlier, Sir Bassey Dan Abia Snr., a former managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), characterized the event as a people-driven endeavor centered on Esit Eket’s collective advancement.
“This is the Esit Eket stakeholders’ meeting, just to be clear,” he stated. In Esit Eket, we are overwhelmingly APC, and in Nigeria and Akwa Ibom, we are a part of the ruling party. How to advance Esit Eket and realign its growth trajectories is on our agenda.
In order to achieve sustainable development, other speakers at the event emphasized the significance of inclusive governance and unity.
Former lawmaker Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh urged broader stakeholder engagement to address urgent development challenges in the region, while former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Barr. Bassey Essien spoke to attendees.
The resolutions adopted at the meeting were also endorsed by representatives from the three zones of Esit Eket.
Mercy Sam, a women’s representative, advocated for more visible community development initiatives and greater participation of women in governance.
Comrade Bassey Bassey Abia, the youth representative, urged leaders to give the protection of indigenous interests top priority while promising the support of young people for the decisions made at the meeting.
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