By Emeka Samuel
Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom on Monday challenged the All
Progressive Congress in the state to a debate to determine which of
the political parties that have a sustainable plan for the development
of the state.
This is even as the camp of the Peoples’ Democratic Party has swelled
with the defection of over 20,000 units, wards and chapter officers of
the All Progressives Congress and other parties drawn from the 31
local councils of the state to it.
At the ceremony in, Uyo, Emmanuel, who was visibly happy at the
jubilant mood of the crowd as they sang and danced throughout the day;
displaying a mock coffin with an inscription “APC RIP”.described leaders
of the APC as looters who have no sustainable plan for the empowerment
of the masses and the overall development of the state.
The Governor commended the defectors for taking a worthwhile decision
of joining the party
which he described as the only grassroots party in the country.
He stressed that PDP remained a party for peace and would not shed
anyone’s blood in its quest for political power, assuring that all of
them who took the decision to defect would be given a pride of place
in the scheme of things at the party.
Emmanuel stated that the decision they have all taken was not because
of him, nor the party chairman or any other person but for the soul of
Akwa Ibom state and urged them to stand up in defense of the state at
all times.
” Today is a thing of joy that over 20,000 of just one group have come
to call on the party chairman of PDP, the only grassroots party in the
the country, this is unprecedented in the history of our state. What you
are doing today is not about me, it is about the party chairman, or
any other person, it is about the soul of Akwa Ibom state.
The Governor said he was not moved by the “ranting of the opposition
to take over” Akwa Ibom, describing them as “empty vessels” making
the loudest noise.
“I am not moved by the ranting of the opposition in the state but let
I assure you that PDP will sand, for peace and for development of
Akwa Ibom state.”
Earlier in his remarks, the state chairman of the party, Mr. Paul Ekpo,
described the number of the defectors as unprecedented in the history
of the party in Akwa Ibom state.
Ekpo expressed a pleasant surprise that the party’ preaching for
industrialization, peace and stability, and workability has touched
the minds of so many of them who have decided to join it.
“It has never happened in the history of Akwa Ibom state that people
in their thousands and on their own could decide and say we should
come and receive them into the Peoples Democratic Party. We have been
preaching industrialization peace and stability and workability but
little did we know that our preaching has touched the minds of so many
people in the state.
“Tell Nigerian that Akwa Ibom state is PDP, and the entire people are
here to bury APC in the state. We are not saying propaganda, we are
saying what is real Akwa Ibom is PDP and PDP is Akwa Ibom, PDD is like
a religion and if you have not started working in PDP you are not
complete” Ekpo said
The chairman welcomed all the defectors to party assuring them of
their safety and welfare in the party and equal opportunities for all.
