June 22, 2016

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Following the thread from past to present

For 17 years, men of outstanding antecedents have emerged at a time to serve to the Peoples Democratic  Party (PDP) as State chairmen. They contributed in no small measure during their tenure to the development of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State.

This was reflected in the successes PDP recorded over the years. For the record, we present these men who contributed with strong conviction and loyalty to what PDP is today in Akwa Ibom State, a ruling party, for the benefits of the younger generation of our party men and women.

CHIEF JOESEPH EDET ATING

Chief Joeseph Ating was the pioneer State chairman of PDP who served from 1999 to 2001. Ating and 10 other party men and women formed the interim State Executive of PDP. He led the party to victory in the December 5, 1998 local government elections and the 1999 general elections.

Born on April 30, 1952, in Ebughu, one of the five communities in Mbo Local Government Area, Ating attended St. Leo’s Catholic Primary School, Okobo Ebughu and later, St. Mark’s School, Oron. He proceeded to the Queen of Apostles Seminary, Afaha Obong in Abak Local Government Area. For
some reasons, Ating did not complete his secondary education at the seminary. He did that St. Vincent’s
Secondary School, Oti -Oron in 1973.

Ating was with the then Telegraph Department, now Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST). At NIPOST, he
was actively involved in union politics. Because of his commitment to workers’ welfare, he was elected
the union leader.

At home, he served as chairman, Obio Nlap Akpakip Oro. In 1996, former military administrator of Akwa
Ibom, Navy Cpt. Joseph Adeusi appointed Ating the chairman of Hotels and Tourism Board. He also
served as a member of World Bank Project Committee in the State. He left behind a wife, Mary and
children.

CHIEF TONY EMENYI

He was the one of the founding member of PDP in Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Area and the
second State chairman of PDP. Before his inauguration as the State chairman of the party in 2001, he
served PDP as the pioneer chapter chairman.

Like his predecessor and kinsman, Emenyi led PDP to victory in 2003 general elections and 2004 local
government polis. This grassroots politician was born on January 2,1942, and was at the Methodist
Primary School, Ukuko, but completed that level of education at the Methodist School, EyoAbasi.
Emenyi was at the Hope Waddel Training Institute, Calabar, Cross River State for his secondary
education.

In 1963, Emeyi was at the then Bissan Institute for Rubber Research Development in Equitorial Guinea
where he obtained a Diploma Certificate in rubber processing. He worked in the Eastern Nigeria
Development Corporation. He was chairman from 2001 to 2006. He died few years ago.

Arc. Otu Ita Tovo

This third State chairman of POP is from Ekim Oro in Udung Uko Local Government Area. He served the
party as chairman from 2006 to 2008.

Like others before him, he led the party to success in the 2007 general elections. During his tenure, he
insisted that chairmanship and councillorship aspirants on the platform of the party should possess at
least a Higher National Diploma (HND) or a First Degree from a recognized university.

Toyo was born on April 13, 1953. He attended Methodist School, Ogui, Enugu State; Hope Waddell
Training Institute and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Kaduna State. He is an architect by training
and a politician by practice.

He is the former chairman of Local Government Service Commission. Toyo, who is popularly known as
Total Chair during his tenure was also the chairman of the Board of Akwa Ibom Property and Investment
Company (APICO). He is no longer a member of POP.

PRINCE UWEM ITA ETUK

He was State chairman of POP from 2008 to 2012. He came into that office with rich experience in party
politics. Early in life, young Etuk was involved in party politics. In 1993, he was the Ibesikpo Ward 10
chairman of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in old Uyo Local Government Area.

In 1997, Etuk served Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM) as the chapter chairman for Ibesikpo
Asutan Loca Government Area.

He was also in the State Executive Committee of POP as an ex-officio member. This former chairman of
Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Council for more for close to four years during the tenure of Obong
Victor Attah was the State chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON).

In 2007, he served former Governor Godswill Akpabio as an aide and later, Special Adviser, Bureau of
Cooperative Development and Food Sufficiency.

Etuk, who is currently the commissioner for Lands and Town Planning also served in the last
administration as commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

This grassroots politician was born on August 13, 1964. Etuk attended the University of Uyo, School of
Basic Studies, Akamkpa, Cross River State; Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar; Lutheran High
School, Obot Idim and St. Peter’s Lutheran Primary School, Mbierebe Akpawat, Ibesikpo Asutan.

Like others before him, Etuk led the POP to victory in the 2011 general elections. In the build up to the
2011 general elections, Etuk convened an enlarged State Working Committee (SWC) meeting of the
party, where the office of the Governor was again zoned to Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene)
Senatorial District for a second time.

OBONG PAUL EKPO

This fifth State chairman of PDP has made history. He is the first chairman to be elected for a second
term. Obong Paul Ekpo was first elected State chairman of POP in 2012 at Uyo Township Stadium. Few
weeks ago, he broke the second term jinx with his re-election at the Godswill Akpabio International
Stadium.

In 2007, Obong Ekpo was appointed commissioner for Commerce and Industry by former Governor
Godswill Akpabio, but later redeployed to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Ekpo is a former head of Administration and Properties at Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM). He
acquired his first work experience at Deaveraux Investment Limited, during his service year in the
mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

Born on November 18,1969, Ekpo attended the University of Uyo (UNIUYOj, where he studied Political
Science. He was at the Apostolic Church Secondary School, Ikot Oku Nsit, Nsit Ibom Local Government
Area after his primary education at the UNA Primary School.

By Dominic Akpan