By Emeka Samuel,Uyo
The State Coordinator of President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign groups in Akwa Ibom and a former Speaker of the State Assembly Engr. Ignatius Edet was among some key 5,000 APC chieftains and members who rejoined the PDP on Wednesday as Governor Udom Emmanuel flagged off his governorship re-election campaigns in Uyo with other PDP state governors in attendance.
This is even as Emmanuel has declared that he was not elected Governor to complete monuments and projects that were of no economic benefit to the state but to initiate and complete economically viable projects.
Edet while expressing joy for rejoining the PDP, a party he described as sensitive to the wishes and aspiration of members explained that he left the APC because of high handedness of some party chieftains including a Senior aide to Buhari Senator Ita Enang who with other chieftains according to him hand picked candidates of the party in the last primaries.
The ex Speaker expressed disappointment and sadness with the running of the APC in the state and expressed confidence that the PDP which had been on ground in the state with sustainable structures would sweep the polls.
Reaffirming his belief in his re-election Emmanuel restated his commitment to the completion of his five point agenda adding that his achievements in power, education, health, youth and women empowerment, security, poverty alleviation, industrialization remained unrivalled even as students and other groups have given him a pass mark for increasing the pass rate of WAEC from 60% to more than 70% in the area.
On the face of recession the governor said he revived the economy of the state even as for the first time Akwa Ibom has become an industrial destination in Nigeria. He accused Senator Godswill Akpabio of building monuments even as some of his projects were not driven by the needs of the people of the state when they were executed.
He said that the PDP remained the only real popular and peoples party in Nigeria accusing the APC of sowing military uniforms inorder to rig the elections in the state adding that he has been able to bring to an end political related killings and kidnapping adding that the people of the South South region would remain for the PDP because of their role in the peace development and prosperity of the region.
“I offer myself to complete what we have started for the youths. There are element of integrity, love and sincerity contained in all sections of our manifesto and our commitment to industrialization, youth and women empowerment, education and robust health system remain irrevocable.” The Governor concluded.
Bayelsa Governor and chairman of South South Governors Forum, Chief Seriaki Dickson in a goodwill message on behalf of the people of Bayelsa and other governors in the region commended Akwa Ibom people for their support to Emmanuel who he described as a good product and reminded them of the need to relect him urging the Governor not to be distracted by friends and party members who withdrew their support for him.
Dickson who recalled how Emmanuel supported him to win a second term said it was important that the people allow the Governor to consolidate on his numerous achievements in security and industrialization, commending members of the PDP for their steadfastness and congratulated the governor in advance of his victory at the polls.
State PDP chairman, Mr Paul Ekpo who expressed pride in having Emmanuel as the governor of the state and promised that the state working committee would redouble their efforts to ensure the victory of the candidates of the party at all levels.
Speaker of the State House of Assembly Barr. Oniofok Luke who said the occasion was to thank God for the anticipated victory of Emmanuel in the March 2nd election adding that the people especially members of the House of Assembly are determined all within their capacity to ensure his success.
Luke said the governor remained untainted by misappropriation like the APC guber candidate who have been bedevilled with several cases of mismanagement of public funds and commended the governor for his prudent management of the resources of the state.
Senator Bassey Albert who spoke for the people of Uyo Senatorial District maintained that since former governors from other senatorial districts completed their eight years full cycle it was only a matter of justice and fairness for Governor Udom Emmanuel to complete his
Bassey assured that the people of the area could not afford to wait for another eight years for their turn to be governor since it would be their turn after Eket Senatorial District and promised that the people of the area would cast their block vote for the Governor.
While speaking for the people of Eket senatorial district where Emmanuel incidentally is from Obong Obot Etukofia said the people of the area were proud of the candidature of the governor saying her has been inspirational, focused, credible and determined in the redefining the economic fortunes of the Akwa Ibom.
The people of Ikot Ekpene senatorial district who spoke through the National Legal Adviser of PDP Barr Emmanuel Enoidem said the Governor has contributed immensely in reviving the economic fortunes of the state even as he said that the people of the area would always identify with superior development.
Enoidem said that there was no alternative to Emmanuel. Enoidem told the Governor that his main rival and APC guber candidate Mr Nsima Ekere was not qualified to rule the state as he could not succeed as a deputy governor.
The ex special duties commissioner who said that the governor has performed creditably on his five point agenda added that the only attraction for the other parties in the state to the government house remained the state allocation.
He regretted that the economic fortunes of the country under the administration of the APC have nose dived with all available indices including that the World Bank painting a gloomy picture for the country adding that the threats of use of federal might by the APC in the state would not intimidate the PDP.
Senator Helen Esuene said the Govermor has always identified with the wishes and aspirations of women adding that it was not a mistake that the women of the state have thrown their weight behind Emmanuel.
