Few weeks ago during the stakeholders’ meeting at DeAngelo Hotel, some select persons were paraded before the PDP stakeholders in all the wards. They were made to address the party leaders on why each of them wants to become chairman of Etinan Local Government Area.
Few seconds, each of them quickly made real their intention. They all spoke well, though many perceived that action as political ambush since nobody gave the aspirants clue to what was in the offing. One striking presentation that gathered dust was that of the Transition Chairman, Hon.Uko Umoh. He may not be an orator, but he knows what to say at the right time. Uko Umoh was able to justify why he is gunning for the seat and reasons he should be given a chance.
A peep at Uko Umoh’s short stay as Transition Chairman would convince even his naysayers that he deserves more shots on the seat to consolidate on his achievements and implant Governor Umo Eno’s Arise Agenda in Etinan Local Government Area.
As Transition Chairman, he has demonstrated depth and insight in addressing issues peculiar to the masses. His first major free medical and surgical treatment where 3000 people were treated of different ailments; 22 surgeries carried out and over 1500 eye glasses dispensed, are few testaments of people-centric administration of Hon. Uko Umoh.
Within his few days in office, with the support of his lieutenants, he has graded roads in virtually all the wards, revamped transformers in some villages, including reconnection of the council Secretariat to the national grid.
He has also paid school fees to countless numbers of students from Etinan Local Government Area, made several health and financial interventions to people.
Uko Umoh has mobilized for frequent clearing of grasses that were hitherto protruding into walk-ways from Ekom Iman Junction to Etinan town. He has renovated the stadium, bought UTME forms for 200 students of Etinan LGA origin and even promised scholarship to those who would record reasonable success in UTME.
He has empowered women with grants, empowered People with Disabilities, PWDs by donating business grants, wheelchairs, white cane, crutches and more.
As a Chairman, he has ensured peace amongst different political blocs and interests in Etinan by carrying them along in whatever he does. Uko Umoh doesn’t believe in holding grudges against anybody or looking down on people. He is open to all-the poor and the rich, and ready to take corrections where he falters.
With these achievements and many others not mentioned, Uko Umoh has not only redefined governance in Etinan, but has drawn government closer to the ruralites which is the primary essence in which local government administration was established.
Another striking reason why Uko Umoh should mount the saddle is that he is from Northern Iman Ward 2 within where the chairmanship is zoned to, and since the creation of Etinan, nobody from Northern Iman Ward 2 had ever been the local government chairman. It may interest us to know that Northern Iman Ward 2 is regarded as the vote basket of Etinan local government with 9 villages which is the biggest and largest amongst the 12 wards.
People of Northern Iman Ward 2 are always appointed Transition Chairmen after which they handover to another from different Ward. It will tantamount to an act of ingratitude, sheer display of political insensitivity and lack of inclusion to deny Uko Umoh, who is from Northern Iman Ward 2, the opportunity to become the local government chairman.
Beside this, the new political template of Etinan chairmanship has always been ascending as Transition Chairman to elected chairman. Uko Umoh is the transition chairman today and as it was done for others, it’s time to do same for Uko Umoh.
Uko Umoh is a portrait of a post-modern leader who, in the past months, has adopted transformational, democratic, charismatic and affiliative leadership styles to achieve his goals. With his Transition Committee members, he has been able to touch lives and transform communities with projects.
Admittedly, he is not an all-knowing, but he is a leader who is ready to learn and welcome inputs from his committee members, as well as sponsor worthy courses that are in the overriding interest of Etinan people. Hon. Umoh is accessible, friendly and can go all out to pull a surprise for anybody.
A chance for Uko Umoh as elected chairman will mean holistic transformation of Etinan LGA, more development, continued peace, love and unity among the people of the local government.
Kufre Etuk writes from the quiet village of Mbioto 1.
