By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo
The APC has said it has already fowarded the name of Obong Akan Udofia to the Independent National Electoral Comnission, INEC as the gubenatorial candidate of the party in Akwa Ibom in next month’s elections.
The declaration by Minister of Niger Delta Mr Umana Umana at a stakeholders meeting in Uyo recently would bring some relief to supporters who have become apprehensive over the continued inability of INEC to recognise Udofia.
Udofia had defeated about five others in the gubenatorial primary of the party last year but several court cases instituted by some of the defeated aspirants have stalled his recognition by the electoral body.
The Minister had notified stakeholders that the National Executive Council of the Party had presented the name of Udofia to INEC as its guber candidate but only awaiting confirmation by the court for INEC to do the needful.
Umana who called for collective support for the oil mogul urged party stakeholders to cease dwelling in the past and rather look at the bigger picture that the future holds for the party in the state.
“Let us move away from petty bickering and wrangling over the past. Now, we are to focus on the APC presidential rally while strategic steps are being taken to peacefully redress the protracted challenges in our party.” He said.
Also, a former Presidential aspirant of the party and immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom Chief Godswill Akpabio who commended Umana for the meeting maintained that Udofia was the duly elected and recognized guber candidate of the party and called on all supporters to rally round him.
Akpabio who sued for peace and unity said he was personally ready and focused on achieving peace for the party.
On his part, the governorship candidate, Obong Akan Udofia commended the resilience of members who have remain faithful and committed to the party and thanked stakeholders for their doggedness and loyalty to the party.
“I am a man of peace and a child of destiny. I have come in peace to build with you. Let’s work together to prosecute the coming general election. Let us bury all the court cases that has held the party back.
“Our challenges and frustrations stems largely from poverty, hunger and lack that has enveloped majority in the state. I dare say that if we unite to win the election, we shall barnish poverty and hunger in our state.” He said.
