By Aniekan Udoh.
Non-Executive Director on the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Dr. Eunice Thomas, has made a significant move in the Akwa Ibom political scene by financially supporting over 50 female candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the forthcoming local government elections.
At a meeting held in Uyo on Wednesday, where no fewer than 50 APC councillorship candidates and several chairmanship candidates were present, the Ibeno-born politician disbursed millions of naira to cover the nomination fees required by the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) for the female APC contenders.
In addition to this, Dr. Thomas extended her financial support to all APC candidates in Ibeno LGA, further demonstrating her commitment to the party’s success in the upcoming elections.
It should be recalled that AKISIEC issued a directive last week requiring candidates for the 2024 local government polls to pay nomination fees and submit evidence of payment to the commission.
According to the directive, female chairmanship candidates are required to pay N250,000 each, while female councillorship candidates must pay N125,000 each.
Dr. Thomas, who served as Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare during the administration of Chief Godswill Akpabio, used the occasion to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for empowering Nigerians through his recent policies and programmes.
She used the occasion to call on Nigerians to pray for the Country’s first family as well as Senate President Godswill Akpabio, recognizing their immense contributions to the advancement of Akwa Ibom in particular and Nigeria.
While emphasizing her commitment to ensuring the success of the APC in the upcoming elections, Dr. Thomas, who was accompanied to the meeting by her husband, Mr. Samuel Thomas, urged the candidates to remain focused and work closely with their communities to identify key issues they can address when elected.
She stated, “I came here today to appreciate you for daring to contest. I am here to campaign for you, to strengthen you, and to stand by you. Through my support and that of other women, you will be given the money to pay for your AKISIEC fees.”
The event was attended by top APC leaders in the state, who commended Dr. Thomas for her generosity and support.
The State Chairman of APC, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, represented by Dr. David Umoessien, Deputy Chairman, thanked President Tinubu for approving the appointment of Dr. Thomas and praised the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio for facilitating numerous political appointments for Akwa Ibom indigenes.
Other party leaders, including Mr. Samuel Thomas, husband of the donor; APC State Publicity Secretary Barr. OtoAbasi Udo, and Youth Leader; Hon. Clement Awakessien, also lauded Dr. Thomas for her contributions to the party’s success, noting that her philanthropic gesture was in line with the legacy of her mentor, Mrs. Ekaette-Unoma Akpabio.
Meanwhile, the female candidates who are beneficiaries of Dr. Thomas’s unprecedented generosity have expressed immense gratitude to her for selflessly becoming their hope in their moment of need.
They opined that the financial intervention will significantly bolster their chances of winning in the October 5 council polls.
