Ibiono Ibom Women Rally Behind Tinubu, Akpabio, Gov Eno
Women of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area have rallied behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, as the Akwa Ibom State Government continued its statewide Women Sensitization Tour on Civic Responsibilities with a successful engagement in the area on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. The programme focused on voter registration, party e-registration, and cooperative development as critical pillars for political participation, grassroots mobilisation, and inclusive growth.
The event, which held at the Council Headquarters, Okoita, forms part of an ongoing sensitization tour across the 31 local government areas of the state aimed at empowering women on their civic rights, responsibilities, and active participation in governance and development processes.
Leading the delegation, the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, described Governor Umo Eno as a gender-friendly leader who places high value on the contributions of women to governance and development. She conveyed the Governor’s appreciation to the women of Ibiono Ibom and assured them that their role in shaping the political and socio-economic direction of the state remains indispensable.
Senator Eyakenyi noted that women constitute over 50 percent of the population of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area and urged them to obtain, safeguard, and actively use their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to exercise their civic rights during elections. She further advised women with expired, damaged, or defective PVCs to promptly visit offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for replacement.
She also charged the Chairman of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area to ensure effective mobilisation of women for key civic and administrative exercises, including APC membership e-registration, voter registration and PVC collection, as well as National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment, to guarantee a seamless and inclusive process.
Commending the people of Ibiono Ibom for embracing Governor Umo Eno’s unity-driven governance philosophy, the Deputy Governor noted that the Governor’s strategic alignment of the state with the Federal Government in enlightened state interest has continued to yield tangible benefits. According to her, these include increased federal presence through projects, political appointments, and enhanced funding for capital development across Akwa Ibom State.
In her remarks, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Helen Obareki, explained that the sensitization tour was directed by the Governor to educate women on their civic rights and responsibilities. She called for sustained support for the administration and urged women to remain actively engaged in the political process to ensure the continued success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in forthcoming elections.
The Executive Chairman of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Hon. Asuakak Umoh, praised Governor Umo Eno for approving the sensitization tour, describing it as a timely initiative that would further unite women and strengthen grassroots political mobilisation. He pledged the full support of his administration to the programme.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Inibehe Silas, emphasized that the tour was designed to encourage women to register and collect their PVCs, enroll for NIN, and actively participate in party membership activities as essential steps toward inclusive governance.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Cooperative and Rural Development, Rt. Hon. Alice Ekpenyong, briefed the women on opportunities available under the ARISE Agenda to boost women’s participation in cooperative societies. She urged women traders and entrepreneurs to form cooperatives within their wards, noting that possession of PVCs and NINs would be key requirements for accessing empowerment programmes. Membership registration forms for the 13 wards in Ibiono Ibom were formally presented to the Wife of the Local Government Chairman, Mrs. Asuakak Umoh.
The Member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Moses Essien, underscored the importance of women’s civic engagement, citing ongoing federal and state government projects in the area, including the Mother and Child Hospital, Idoro Road, and Use Ikot Amama Road, as clear evidence of responsive and people-oriented governance.
Several other stakeholders also spoke in support of the sensitization initiative, reinforcing calls for women’s active participation in civic, political, and developmental processes.
In a vote of thanks, the Wife of the Ibiono Ibom Local Government Chairman, Mrs. Etiemana Asuakak Umoh, expressed appreciation to the Deputy Governor and members of the delegation for the visit, noting that the engagement had strengthened the resolve of women in the local government area to continue supporting government programmes and policies.
Dignitaries at the event included the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah; the House of Representatives Member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Ime Okon, represented by his wife, Mrs. Ime Okon; the Wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Inemesit Uwah; the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Princess Emem Ibanga; the Wife of the State NDDC Coordinator, Mrs. Louisa Ntukekpo; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Grassroots Mobilization, Mr. Aniefiok Iwaudofia; SSA to the Governor on Trade and Market Matters, Mr. Idorenyin Raphael; the Wife of the UCCA Chairman, Mrs. Anietie Eka; and the Permanent Secretary, Department of Establishment, Mrs. Esther Inyang.
