By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo.
Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has once again denied plotting a third term in office through a surrogate.
Emmanuel who made this known on Sunday in Uyo during an open interactive session with the people monitored by our correspondent, also vowed never to allow any cultist take over the reins of governance from him in 2023.
The Governor said that this has become necessary inorder to secure the future peace of the state considering the current level of menace of cultism especially among youths in the country.
“For peace to reign and for Christ to have control, I am not interested in third term through a surrogate , the only thing you can help is do is to ensure that no cultist is allowed to emerge Governor of the state.
“Some council areas are highly volatile so if they nominate a cultist we would not permit such. any cultist arrested would not be released.
“The only way to ensure peace is to make a way to eradicate cultism if you want to ensure peace, we look up to God, then we embrace peace. some cult groups are clashing in some parts of the state and we have tried to make sure we crush them.
“We will stop at nothing in ensuring we crush them. it is not out intention to deploy soldiers to volatile areas and you are forcing us to do so. please let parents talk to their children, they gain nothing from cultism.
“It cant be because of one man the whole village would run away. it is time to go their right way. most armed robbers and kidnappers are cultists and we will crush them.” He explained.
The Governor also explained why he is opening up more internal roads in the State saying that this was to allow for ease of transport and movement of goods and services.
He admited that the lock down caused by COVID-19 has affected the completion time of these projects but stated emphatically that the roads will be completed in good time as government and governance remain a continuum.
The Governor maintained that the intervention of his administration in every sector of the state is wholesome assuring that all issues of pensions and gratuities would be given the rapid attention they are presently receiving.
