As more backclash trail Governor Udom Emmanuel’s endorsement of Mr Umoh Enoh, Director General, DG, of Bassey Albert Gubernatorial Campaign Organisation, Bishop Andrew Unwanta said the Governor’s action was undemocratic and should be condemned by democrats.
Unwanta told our correspondent in Uyo yesterday that such public show of support was immature and unhealthy and would not make for a level playing field for other aspirants.
The DG said the national executive of the party would not be happy with such a development because the recipent of such endorsement would always receive the backing of the state and would have access to enornous funding from such government.
Unwanta however said that not withstanding, other aspirants would go on with their campaigns while the party’s candidate would be decided at the primaries by members of the party.
“I don’t think any party member is happy with him even at the national level. No leader does that. Party candidates are not picked, they are selected when all the people accept a particular person.
“So, what the governor has done is very wrong. You could express body language and everybody will understand. It’s not like the party is his own in party. In party politics it is important to have as many people as possible.” He said.
Unwanta said the campaign council of Senator Akpan have remained calm and would continue with their consultations across the state.
“The Governor’s action is a very wrong procedure but we in the Bassey Albert’s Campaign Organisation remain calm and preparing for the primaries.
“It is all about nomination and who the majority of the party delegates will choose. You can’t just come and nominate somebody on your own and impose the person on the party. You can’t and we won’t accept that.” He said.
It would be recalled that the Governor’s endorsement of his Land and Water Resources Commissioner, Mr Umoh Enoh as his preferred successor have generated a lot of negative reaction from party members and residents.
Many have viewed his action as a subtle scheme to subvert the will of the people and coarse them into supporting his choice because of his influence in the ruling PDP.
