The Advisory Council Chairman of the Non-Indigenes Association in Akwa Ibom State, Onoriode Obareki, has commended Gov. Umo Eno for promoting political inclusion and proposing an N800m business grant for non-indigenes in the state.

Obareki spoke at the weekend during the inauguration of 369 ward coordinators and volunteers of the non-indigenes’ chapter of the ARISE With Renewed Hope Initiative in Uyo.

 He said the inauguration demonstrated Eno’s commitment to involving non-indigenes in governance and creating opportunities for them to contribute to the state’s political and economic development.

 Obareki, who is also a senior legislative aide to the Senate president, said non-indigenes contributed more than 26,000 votes during the 2023 elections. He expressed confidence that the association would mobilise significantly more support for the 2027 elections.

 He commended the association’s coordinator, Amb. Sunday Usikhifo, and leaders from each bloc for their efforts and expressed hope that further government support, particularly for business development, would benefit non-indigenes through the proposed N800 million grant.

 Obareki urged members to reciprocate the government’s support by voting for all All Progressives Congress candidates in the forthcoming elections, including President Bola Tinubu and Eno.

 Meanwhile, the President-General of the ARISE With Renewed Hope Initiative, Uwem Okoko, represented by Uyo Local Government Area Chairman Uwemedimo Udoh, praised the association’s leadership for its mobilisation efforts.

 Okoko described non-indigenes as a significant electoral force capable of influencing political outcomes in the state. He urged them to feel at home, describing them as the state’s “32nd local government.”