Key stakeholders of the Eket/ONNA/Esit-Eket/Ibeno Federal Constituency have adopted Rep. Okpolupm Etteh for another term in 2027, if he so desires, following a motion moved by the former member representing Esit-Eket/Ibeno State Constituency, Dr. Usoro Akpanusoh, and seconded by the member representing ONNA State Constituency, Hon. Sunday Johnny.
The adoption came on the heels of a stakeholders’ briefing organized by Rep. Okpolupm Etteh on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Basement Hall of Villa Marina Hotel, Eket, where he updated constituents on his legislative activities and constituency development efforts since assuming office in 2023.
Setting the tone for the event, the Chairman and Leader of the Eket Senatorial District Elders Forum, Chief Nduese Essien, described the briefing as timely, noting that it provided an opportunity for constituents to listen to and interact directly with their representative while assessing his performance.
Chief Essien, a former Minister of Housing and Etteh’s predecessor in the House of Representatives, thanked the host for convening the meeting and encouraged participants to make constructive contributions that would promote peace, unity, and prosperity within the federal constituency.
One of the speakers at the event, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, Special Adviser to the President of the Senate, commended Rep. Etteh, stating: “Etteh’s presentation reflects genuine legislative work. As someone who understands how the National Assembly operates, I can confidently say that my brother, Etteh, has performed beyond the ordinary.”
Hon. Eyiboh, a former member of the House of Representatives, urged stakeholders to continue encouraging Rep. Etteh to give his best and do even more for the constituency.
Also speaking, Hon. Owoidighe Ekpoattai, a former member of the House of Representatives, applauded the lawmaker’s dedication and performance, adding that lawmakers should be given the opportunity to return for a second term to consolidate on their achievements.
In his remarks, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Bassey Dan-Abia Snr., appreciated Rep. Etteh’s sincerity and performance, stating: “I may not score you because I could be biased, but from what I have heard from credible speakers here today, I have seen sincerity and frankness. You have done well.”
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Nsibiet John, also commended Rep. Etteh for his commitment to grassroots development and appealed to him to ensure the inclusion of journalists within the constituency in his empowerment programmes.
Other speakers, including former Chairmen of ONNA, Hon. Imoh Attat; Eket, Chief Aniekan Akpan; and Ibeno, Hon. Henry Ekpe-Nko, as well as Dr. Usoro Akpanusoh and Pastor Isaiah Abia, also lauded Rep. Etteh’s performance.
In his vote of thanks, the Director-General of the Okpolupm Etteh Campaign Organization, Obong Kingsley Mbre, thanked the stakeholders for their support and confidence in the lawmaker.
Earlier in his address, Rep. Okpolupm Etteh, who serves as Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on University Education and Chairman of the House Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the Mismanagement of Oil Spills Clean-Up Funds in the Niger Delta, informed stakeholders that he had strategically utilized his legislative position to advance people-centered policies and attract impactful development initiatives to the constituency.
On the legislative front, Rep. Etteh highlighted several bills he has sponsored, including the Bill for an Act to Establish the Petroleum Training Institute, Ibeno; Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Eket; Firearms Act (Amendment) Bill 2024; and Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act (Amendment) Bill 2024.
The lawmaker also noted that he has sponsored and co-sponsored several motions addressing pressing national and community issues, including calls for the restoration of streetlights in Abuja, the completion of the Ibeno shore protection project and other abandoned NDDC projects, the rehabilitation of the Calabar–Itu–Ikot Ekpene Road, and the resuscitation of NTA Channel 35 in Eket.
Rep. Etteh further demonstrated his commitment to constituency advocacy by presenting petitions on the floor of the House, including one on behalf of a constituent, Mr. Enobong Tom Odungide of Afaha Eket, over the alleged wrongful denial of salary and entitlements at Kainji Lake National Park.
Beyond legislative activities, Rep. Etteh revealed that he has facilitated several economic opportunities for his constituents. According to him, over 200 individuals have benefited from federal government grants, while more than 23 constituents have secured appointments in federal institutions such as the University of Abuja, University of Benin, University of Calabar, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Federal Polytechnic Abia, and the Federal College of Education, Ididep.
He added that several young professionals from the constituency have gained employment in sectors including healthcare, academia, law enforcement, and aviation. Additionally, he facilitated the recruitment of constituents into the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police Force, and other paramilitary agencies.
In the area of healthcare, Rep. Etteh disclosed that his free and comprehensive surgical outreach programmes recorded 803 surgeries and 3,600 eye consultations in 2024, alongside the distribution of thousands of prescription lenses. He noted that the 2025 outreach attended to 1,523 patients, conducted over 1,600 laboratory tests, dispensed hundreds of reading glasses, and performed several eye and general surgeries, including myomectomy, herniorrhaphy, appendectomy, and hysterectomy.
He further revealed that 820 vulnerable persons were enrolled into the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme, with 200 beneficiaries each from Eket, Esit-Eket, and Ibeno, and 220 from ONNA.
Recognizing the importance of skills acquisition, Rep. Etteh stated that he has implemented multi-phase empowerment programmes targeting youths and rural women, including training and certification in Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), Oil and Gas Maintenance Services such as IRATA Rope Access, Forklift Operation, and Rig Operations, as well as Fish and Snail Farming.
He also listed several constituency projects he has executed across the four local government areas and others captured in the 2025 federal budget, assuring constituents that they would experience even greater benefits once the budget is fully funded.
The event was attended by numerous political and opinion leaders across the federal constituency. Attendees from Ibeno was led by the Commissioner for Manpower Development, Elder Ikoedem Ekong. Among others that attended from Ibeno were the Executive Chairman of Ibeno, Mrs. Glory Eka Effiong; Vice Chairman of Ibeno, Hon. Ukpong Okon; former State Officer of the PDP, Mrs. Grace Henry Ekpe; fomer Chairman of Ibeno, Hon. Henry Nko; former Transition Chairman of Ibeno, Hon. Emma John Ibok; Secretary of Ibeno, Elder Daniel Solomon; Pastor Utip Inyang Ekong; Engr Alex Okutinyang; State Officer of the APC, Mr. Asukpa Ukana Ulaeto; Hon. Enyina Herkins Inyang; Hon. Grace Itohowo Ekpe; Elder Cyril Akpan; Hon. Sunday Johnson Peter; former Chairman of Ibeno, Hon. Sunday Etor Isokobo; Abita Ukot; Ibeno Chapter Chairman of APC, Emmanuel Effiong Udoenim; Ibeno Chapter Chairman of PDP, Mr. Uko Ikoabasi Uko; Elder Effiong Udoenim; Chief Friday Ebong; Mrs Grace Atechio; Mr. Willie Willie Ukochio; Hon. Samuel Ita; Mkpat Johnny Ukot, and a former Chapter Chairman of PDP, Hon. Ekoakwaha Etteh.
In ONNA, attendees were led by a former member of the House of Reps, Hon. Owoidighe Ekpoatai. Among those that attended were the member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Sunday Johnny; Hon. Godwin Oton; Hon. Ini Ikott; Eld Nelson Ntia; Pst Ezekiel Umoh; Friday U Ben; Hon. Dan Out; Pst Rose Udo; Mrs Inyene Bassey; Tom Nkanang; Godwin Umontuen; Bar Akan Idem; Kufre Akpabio; Hon. Iniabasi Ekanem; Hon. Imoh Atatt; Hon. Bishop Ufot Sunday; Nkanang Nkanang, and Comfort Umoette.
In Eket, the attendees were led by the Chairman of Eket Senatorial District Elders Forum and former Minister of Housing, Chief Nduese Essien. Among those that attended were Chief Aniekan Akpan; Hon. Ekanem Willie; Chief Iniobong Idem; Mr Emman Mbong; Obong Kingsley Mbre; Chief Akpan Monday; Pastor Godwin Ukwat; Hon. Eric Etukapan; Hon. Victor Henry, and Elder Emmanuel Amos.
In Esit Eket, the attendees were led by a chieftain of the APC and former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC),Chief Bassey Dan-Abia Snr. Among those that attended were the Special Adviser to the President of the Senate and former House of Reps Member, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh; Hon. Enobong Harry; Hon. Okon Edoho Udo; Hon. Isaiah Abia; former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh; Elder Emmanuel Nsoh; Mr. Felix Udo; Chief Dr. Victor Dan Ikot; Hon. Ekpo Atifit; Elder Aniefiok Cobb; Capt. Effiong Obiofiong Rtd; Hon. Uyoata Assam; Dr. Victor Anwana; Hon. Eyo Inyang Abia, and Felix Etesin.
