I need Oro son as running mate says Senator Akpanudoedehe

By Joseph Atainyang

As the 2019 general elections approaches, a governorship hopeful under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe yesterday met members of Oro Think Tank - the political wing of the Oro Nation, seeking support and promising to salvage the Oro race from the gross marginalization meted on them by the ruling People's Democratic Party, PDP led administration in Akwa Ibom State.
Senator J. J. Akpanudoedehe at the Ewet Housing Estate residence of Dr (Amb) Etim Uye - a foremost Oro citizen and former Nigerian Ambassador to Greece stated that he wanted an opportunity to run an all-inclusive government in the State, and acknowledged that Oro should have been considered for a shot at the hilltop mansion in 2015.

The governorship hopeful who referred to himself, as a man of integrity who would do everything to give the Oro people the dignity and respect they had long been denied, offered to vie for the hilltop with an Oro son as a running mate, saying his administration shall work hard to make the Ibaka Deep Seaport a reality.

Responding, a chieftain of Oro Nation, Chief Okon Osung echoed the marginalization of Oro Nation, and blamed the Ibibios for their irresponsibility of ensuring a fairer deal for the Oro people.

He took time to enumerate the various indices of neglect of Oro by successive governments in the State, saying Oro deserves more than a deputy governor, as the largest producer of wealth to Akwa Ibom State, in particular and Nigeria in general.

Speaking earlier at the meeting, the Oro Think Tank Chairman, Dr. Monday Dickson, informed the house that Senator Akpanudoedehe had written to them requesting an audience for discussions with the Think Tank, and by extension, the Oro Nation.

He welcomed the visitor, John James Akpanudoedehe; the representatives of the Council of Oro Traditional Rulers (COTR) led by its Chairman, Offong Effiong M. Unanaowo and others to the meeting.

Meanwhile, Amb. Uye, thanked Senator Akpanudoedehe for the visit and observed that it was a familiar practice for hosts to receive visitors, hear their petitions and requests, and thereafter communicate their responses to them on a later date.
He therefore promised that the Oro Think Tank would reconvene to consider Senator Akpanudoedehe's proposal before getting back to him.
Others who attended the meeting were: Chief Edet Mkpubre, Arc Otu Ita Toyo, Chief Okon Osung, Chief (Dr) E. B. Edunam, Prof Eka Uweh, Barr Effiong O. Oquong, Engr Effiong Essang, Dr. Umo Amba Ekanem, Elder E. E. Bassey, Barr Effiong Abia and Barr Omen Bassey.

Also at the event were: Barr Edet Eyo Bassey, Hon. Christopher Okon, Barr Godwin Umiom Etta, Chief B. I. Isong, Prof Ibia E. Ibia, Lady Edu Uye, Dr Emmanuel Iyanam, Engr Ita Awak, Mr Ubong Ntekim, among others.