By Staff Reporter
The Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the EYEWITNESS NETWORK, a socio-political support group backing the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has commenced plans to establish a strong grassroots mobilisation structure across the 31 Local Government Areas of the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The move was announced during a strategic meeting of the state executive held on Friday, August 14, 2026, in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
The meeting focused on strengthening the state chapter and developing a comprehensive mobilisation strategy that will extend to the Local Government, ward and polling-unit levels across the state.
Addressing members of the State Executive Council, the State Director of the EYEWITNESS NETWORK, Comr. Josephine Ekpa, said the 2027 general elections were fast approaching and urged members to commence early preparations and grassroots engagement.
Ekpa said a major responsibility of the Network was to educate Nigerians on the policies, programmes and achievements of the administration of President Tinubu, particularly the impact of the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms.
She noted that Akwa Ibom State had benefited from various federal interventions and projects under the Tinubu administration, stressing that such initiatives needed to receive adequate public attention through sustained grassroots communication and engagement.
According to her, the immediate priority of the state chapter would be the establishment and activation of EYEWITNESS NETWORK structures at the Local Government, ward and polling-unit levels.
She also charged members to intensify voter education and sensitisation, particularly among eligible citizens, while encouraging them to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the 2027 elections.
National Leadership Directs State Chapter to Mobilise Across 31 LGAs
Also speaking, the National Secretary of the Network, Dr. Saviour Ekpe, who conveyed a message from the national leadership, directed the Akwa Ibom chapter to commence comprehensive grassroots mobilisation across the state’s 31 Local Government Areas, wards and polling units.
Ekpe tasked the State Executive Council with building a formidable grassroots structure capable of mobilising support for President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said the national leadership was encouraged by what he described as the reform agenda of the Tinubu administration, particularly efforts aimed at restructuring the nation’s governance framework and strengthening the principles of true federalism.
He commended the Akwa Ibom State Executive for its commitment and urged members to work collectively towards achieving the objectives of the Network.
Ekpe further said the EYEWITNESS NETWORK remained open to Nigerians who shared its objective of supporting the continuation of the Tinubu administration, irrespective of their individual political affiliations.
He called for greater commitment, unity and active participation as the organisation enters the next phase of its mobilisation programme.
The State Secretary of the Network, Comrade Edianaobong Benson, also solicited the cooperation and support of members, stressing that the success of the grassroots mobilisation drive would depend on collective commitment, effective coordination and sustained engagement.
AKICEM Structure Joins EYEWITNESS Network
The Coordinator of the Akwa Ibom Christian Network (AKICEM), Apostle Charles Udoh, also addressed the meeting.
Udoh disclosed that he had recently collapsed his organisation’s structure, with more than 3,000 members drawn from across Akwa Ibom State, into the EYEWITNESS NETWORK.
The development, he said, would further strengthen the Network’s grassroots presence and mobilisation capacity across the state.
The meeting subsequently resolved to connect, organise and build a strong EYEWITNESS NETWORK structure in every Local Government Area, ward and polling unit in Akwa Ibom State.
The Network has consequently commenced the process of establishing and strengthening its structures across the state as part of its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Akwa Ibom State Executive
The Akwa Ibom State Executive of the EYEWITNESS NETWORK is constituted as follows:
– State Director: Comr. Josephine Ekpa
– Deputy State Director: Mr. John Effiong Bassey
– State Secretary: Comr. Edianaobong Benson
– Deputy State Secretary: Uduak Akai
– Organising Secretary: Hon. Ubong Ekong
– Assistant Organising Secretary: Kufre John Otto
– State Treasurer: Inemesit Essien (CNA)
– State Financial Secretary: Ernest John Udo
– State Auditor: Comr. Bassey Odiong Unung
– Legal Adviser: Barr. Temple Ukpong
– State Publicity Secretary: Amb. Wisdom Benson
– State Welfare Secretary: Daniel Sunday Peter
– State Woman Leader: Christiana Gabriel Udo
– Director of Mobilisation: Comr. Iko-Obong Ekette
– Director of Strategy and Planning: Ndifreke Friday Elijah
– State Director of Research and Policy: Obong-Iwaad Moses Bassey E.
– Director of Media & Communications: Mfonobong Ukpong
– Director of Protocol: John Thomas
– Director of Membership Registration: Hon. Godfrey Effiong Samuel
– State Provost: Uwem Ekpa Solomon
Also present at the meeting were the National Woman Leader, Idongesit Okon Bassey; National Financial Secretary, Pat. Erikan Festus; and Zonal Director of Mobilisation, Apostle Peters Fresh.
The Network said the activation of its state structure marked the beginning of a broader grassroots engagement programme designed to deepen its presence and coordination across Akwa Ibom ahead of the 2027 elections.
