By Wisdom Eteng
The Ideal Progressive Movement (IPM), a grassroots support group under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has successfully concluded its tour of the ten wards of Bakassi Local Government Area, culminating in a Town Hall Meeting that brought together political stakeholders, traditional rulers and community representatives.
The Movement operates under the leadership of AIG Chief Enene Okon (Rtd.). Chairman of the Board of Trustees, with Hon. (Princess) Christiana Eso, Executive Vice Chairman of Bakassi LGA, serving as Coordinating Director and Chief Maurice Eyo as Director General.
The ten-ward tour, described by the Movement as the first of its kind across Bakassi, was designed to strengthen grassroots engagement and create opportunities for direct interaction with the people. During the visits, IPM members listened keenly to residents as they outlined the challenges confronting their communities, shared their concerns and expressed their expectations for development.
Beyond political mobilization, the tour provided an opportunity for the Movement to connect with communities, engage stakeholders and gain first-hand insight into the realities of the people. In a demonstration of goodwill and solidarity, IPM generously gifted the communities and clans visited, adding a practical dimension to its grassroots engagement.
Following the successful completion of the ward tour, the Movement convened a Town Hall Meeting to sustain the engagement and bring together stakeholders from across the local government area for broader discussions on community concerns and shared aspirations.
The Town Hall Meeting was graced by His Excellency, Apostle Senator Bassey Edet Otu. He was represented by the Honorable Commissioner for Information, Hon. Pst. Ekpenyong Cobham.
The meeting was chaired by Engr. Eyo Ita Eyo-Ndem and attended by traditional rulers and community leaders from the various clans across Bakassi, alongside other political and community stakeholders.
A major highlight of the gathering was the decoration of Governor Bassey Otu as the Grand Patron of the Ideal Progressive Movement. The decoration was performed by the Movement’s Coordinating Director, Hon. (Princess) Christiana Eso, who also serves as the Executive Vice Chairman of Bakassi Local Government Area.
The conferment of the position of Grand Patron marked a significant moment in the event, symbolizing the Movement’s recognition of the Governor’s place within its organizational structure and its desire to strengthen engagement with the leadership of Cross River State.
Also central to the organization and coordination of IPM’s activities is its Director General, Chief Maurice Eyo, who works alongside the Board of Trustees and the Coordinating Director in driving the Movement’s grassroots engagement and mobilization efforts across the ten wards of Bakassi.
The participation of traditional rulers and community leaders from across the clans further underscored the importance of inclusive dialogue and the role of traditional institutions in articulating community concerns, promoting peace and supporting development initiatives.
The Town Hall Meeting also provided an opportunity to reinforce IPM’s stated political objective of advancing the APC 5/5 agenda in Bakassi ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Movement emphasized the importance of unity, cooperation and sustained grassroots participation in pursuing its objectives.
The successful completion of the ten-ward tour, followed by the Town Hall Meeting, represents a significant phase in IPM’s engagement with the people of Bakassi. By taking its activities directly to the communities and subsequently bringing stakeholders together, the Movement created opportunities for dialogue, interaction and a better understanding of the concerns and aspirations of residents.
For the Ideal Progressive Movement, meaningful grassroots engagement begins with listening to the people, understanding their challenges and sustaining dialogue with communities and their leaders.
With AIG Chief Enene Okon (Rtd.) as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Hon. (Princess) Christiana Eso as Coordinating Director and Chief Maurice Eyo as Director General, IPM continues to pursue its grassroots engagement and mobilization activities across Bakassi, with a focus on stakeholder collaboration and its stated APC 5/5 objective ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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