National Assembly aspirant, Prince Mendy Archibong, addressing supporters in his hometown, Ikpe Mbak Eyop, Obot Akara L.G.A.
Abasifreke Effiong
An aspirant for the Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara federal constituency in Akwa Ibom State, Prince Mendy Archibong, hosted his supporters to a thank you meeting despite not winning his party nomination.
Archibong, who is the Managing Director of Goodtime Group of companies contested for the PDP ticket to represent Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara federal constituency in the national assembly in 2023. He lost the party primary to Mr. Idongesit Ntekpere, a two term member of the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly.
On Thursday 20th October, Archibong hosted chapter and ward executives of the PDP, councillors, women and youth leaders, stalwarts of the party and his supporters from the federal constituency to a thank you meeting in his hometown, Ikpe Mbak Eyop, Obot Akara local government area.
Different speakers at the meeting praised Archibong for his “unprecedented act of gratitude” and lauded him for staying back in the PDP and reiterating his support and loyalty to the party.
A cross section of Prince Archibong supporters at the thank you meeting.
Archibong said despite the outcome of the nomination he remains very grateful to his supporters for believing in him, supporting him and standing by him, while reiterating his support for the PDP.
“I have a very free mind and I play my politics with ease. That is why we kept our consultations and campaigns very clean without name calling or name dropping. So, I am very happy and grateful to all my supporters. I stand here to say thank you very much to all my supporters, and may God bless you.”
“I have not left PDP, I am still a bonafide member of PDP and will remain so. In the forthcoming election, I am appealing to all my supporters to support and vote for all candidates of the PDP.”
He said politics is a platform for public service and should not be played with strife, urging other aspirants who lost the primaries to put their loses behind and support the PDP.
“I believe politics shouldn’t be a fight, people should not quarrel because of politics; politics shouldn’t be a do or die affair, no one deserves to die because of it.”
Archibong lauded the senator representing Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district, Senator Chris Ekpenyong, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Akwa Ibom state, Mr. Monday Uko, for working with the government to attract projects to the area particularly roads in Obot Akara.
Speaking, the candidate for Ikot Ekpene federal constituency, Mr. Idongesit Ntekpere lauded Prince Archibong for exhibiting spirit of sportsmanship in politics.
Mr. Idongesit Ntekpere, speaking at the event.
“In football, we believe in what is called fair play, how I wish it is only footballers that play politics it would have been very nice. I earnestly appreciate Prince Mendy because some people would have frowned their faces and get angry without knowing that what will be will be.”
“He (Archibong) takes the contest as game and that is why he has displayed the spirit of good sportsmanship. I am saying this so that tomorrow when God blesses him, we won’t have reasons to ask questions. You must free your mind in the game of politics, do not play it with strife.”
A cross section of women at the thank you meeting.
Ntekpere appealed to the supporters of Arhibong to extend their support to him during the election.
The state youth leader of PDP, Mr. Efremfon Umo, said the thank you meeting convened by Archibong was an “unprecedented act of gratitude.”
READ: I will attract investments to Obot Akara – Prince Archibong tells constituents
The councillor representing Obot Akara ward one, Mr. John Ekanem, chapter chairman of PDP in Obot Akara, Mr. Dominic Simon, vice chairman of the PDP in Ikot Ekpene, Mr. Victor Udoetuk and a political leader from Obot Akara, Chief Okon Anta, thanked Archibong for convening and thanking them after the nomination, saying that the gesture was a further demonstration of his unconditional love for his people and community.
The Director General of Archibong’s campaign organisation which was called Uforo Ntó Annang, Mr. Victor Udofia, and the deputy director general, Mr. John Ekanem, said by the thank you meeting Archibong has further proven that he did not seek to go to the national assembly for selfish gains.
They lauded him for the courage to remain in the party and for telling his supporters to remain steadfast and loyal to the PDP.
Archibong is the founder of Prince Archibong Life Foundation, an Akwa Ibom state based humanitarian organisation that has undertaken numerous community interventions in education, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH), rural commerce through agriculture, empowerment of widows and youth. The foundation says it had committed more than N100 million to community development as of December 2021.
