Dr. Augustine Umoh: Ikono, the Jinx Breaker has arrived

 

 

By Ofonime Honesty

On November 11, 2017, the people of Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State will certainly join their counterparts in other parts of the state to cast ballots in the Local Government Chairmanship election.

As interest in the forthcoming polls gathers momentum, political stakeholders in various political parties are expressing interest to vie. The electorates, on the other hand, are eager to meticulously choose who leads them.

In Ikono, the political atmosphere is tensed as many aspirants have expressed interest in the race. Armed with glowing manifestoes, they are telling the electorates that they possess pedigree and capacity to lead them to socio-political and economic boom.

Though it is a political tradition for aspirants to woo the electorates, it behoves on the electorates to be thoroughly confident on the candidate’s abilities before casting votes. A politician’s trackrecord, educational qualification, experience and above all, blueprint, must always be taken into consideration.

Ikono which was carved out of Itu Local Government Areas in 1976 is widely regarded as the cradle of Ibibio race. In terms of land mass, Ikono joins Ibiono Ibom, Oruk Anam and Essien Udim as one the four largest Local Government Areas in the State. Its strategic importance in the polity cannot therefore be underrated, hence the need for the people to elect a jinx breaker who will fast-track the development and give it the rightful place in the comity of Local Government Areas in Nigeria.
The media has a role to play in guiding the electorates by providing relevant information on aspirants and candidates for elective positions. In view of this, having done an independent perusal of Dr. Augustine Asuquo Umoh’s personage, I can unequivocally submit that he is capable to lead Ikono aright.

Dr. Umoh, who is a university don, politician per excellence, philanthropist, a situational leader, mentor and a constant source of inspiration to the youths and students is vying for the Chairmanship position of Ikono LGA on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His pedigree and track-record are unparalleled. His Curriculum Vitae paints him as a well schooled gentleman whose glittering exploits in Nigeria’s ivory towers span decades. He is a Doctor of Physics who specializes on Upper Atmosphere and Communication with bias in Electronics. As a statesman, he has been actively involved in politics for two decades.

Anyone who doubts his chances of becoming the number one indigene of Ikono LGA only needs to review the goings-on in the area. To pen that everything is working for his favour is an understatement. Political leaders, elders, women and youths are proclaiming him as a messiah. The PDP has zoned the chairmanship race to Ediene Itak and he has been adopted as the sole candidate of Ediene Itak bloc.

To showcase their support for their son, Ediene Itak Elders and Leaders during a consultative visit to the leadership of the State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party reaffirmed their decision to adopt Dr. Umoh as their sole candidate. The meeting was attended by Ikono political heavyweights including a former Chairman of Ikono, Engr. Edet Umotong; a two term Chapter Chairman of PDP in Ikono, Chief Etim Inyang; Obong Akanimo Asanga, former supervisors, councilors and ward executive members.

Armed with the mission of giving power to the people, Dr. Umoh’s blueprint features bettering lives by boosting agriculture, education, health, empowerment and infrastructure.

As an advocate of participatory governance, he intends to put a stop to imposition and electoral racketeering. His entry into the Chairmanship race indeed signals the beginning of good tidings to the people of Ikono. Pundits believe that the locust years of undemocratic politics which has been counterproductive for Ikono are over.

Dr. Augustine Asuquo Umoh is in the race to win. He has the confidence of the party and indeed the populace. Undoubtedly, a new dawn for Ikono has arrived and with him, Ikono people will be taking a right step in a direction towards a transformative future.