By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Uyo Senatorial District Indigenes Association, Lagos State (USDIA) has strongly condemned the alleged recognition of Akwa lbom North East Consultative Forum (AKNECF) by the State Liaison Officer in Lagos.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, USDIA President-General, Chief Matthew Udoheyop, made it clear that USDIA is the only recognised association in Lagos for sons and daughters of the nine local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, namely, Uyo, Uruan, Ibiono Ibom, Ibesikpo/Asutan, Nsit Ibom, Nsit Ubium, Nsit Atai, Etinan and Itu.

He said: “We have been in existence in Lagos for the past 13 years and we are registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with registration number 7074814 as Uyo Senatorial District Indigenes Association, USDIA, Lagos Chapter,

“Our aims and objectives as a socio cultural, economic and welfare development group are: our concerns about the welfare and economic development of our people in the 9 local government areas.

“Over the years within our lean financial base, we have been able to unite, improve and manage the welfare of our members and non-members.

“We are one of the stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State Community, AKISCOM, Lagos, the umbrella body of all Akwa Ibom people. The essential components of AKISCOM are the Local Government Areas and the 3 Senatorial Districts namely: Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, and Eket Senatorial Districts and the chapters.

“Recently, we heard that the leader of a separatist political group in Lagos, Akparawa Ubong Jackson Essien, told members of his political gathering that he doesn’t recognize Uyo Senatorial District in Lagos, but recognizes Ikot Ekpene and Eket Senatorial Districts.

“Of course, we wouldn’t expect him to say otherwise as a separatist leader who is orchestrating division, destruction, blackmail and impunity among a peaceful community as Uyo Senatorial District, who never supported imposition or disintegration crises, impunity, discrimination and cheating, hence his statement.

“Let it be on record that Otuekong Ubong Jackson who sponsored candidates to take over AKISCOM during the 2023 AKISCOM election, cannot say any good thing about our community because we didn’t support his selfish ambition.”

Distancing Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, from the activities of the breakaway group, the USDIA President-General said: “Our Governor, who is a man of integrity, fairness, equity and inclusivity cannot sponsor Otuekong Ubong Jackson and his group of failed election candidates to continue causing crisis, division, segregation and disunity among a peaceful co-existing people and group.”

Chief Udoheyop made it clear that “USDIA is recognized worldwide,” adding: “We must not support political thuggery, invasion and manipulation of a few people.”

Concluding, the USDIA President-General said: “Finally if the government of Akwa Ibom State supports these people in any way, it’s a monumental error which must not be allowed to thrive as we are struggling to get away from bad governance, corruption, fraud and political banditry.

“Our Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, is a God sent man to Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, and the world. He is a man of integrity, uprightness, friendliness, inclusivity, kind-hearted and loving.

“We are supporting his giant strides performance 200%. He is our father, brother and Patron. We will not allow him to play into the hands of opportunists and blackmailers using party to blackmail others while their heads are in one party and their legs in another party. We don’t talk political party but good governance which our indefatigable Governor is demonstrating to Nigeria.”

• PHOTO: From Left; Pastor Gabriel Moses Bassey, Prince Okon Edet, Obonganwan Elizabeth Udoheyop, Elder Edohoukwa, Chief Edet Ambang, Chief Matthew Udoheyop, Chief Elijah Ifot during the Press Conference organised by Uyo Senatorial District Indigenes Association (USDIA) on Wednesday in in Lagos.