By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
Youths of Urueoffong Oruko local government area in Akwa Ibom have protested what they described as the imposition of a Chairmanship candidate on them.
The youths staged a peaceful protest on Saturday at the local government Secretariat with different placards with inscriptions like ‘Say no to imposition and nepotism’, “Urueoffong Oruko must be free from wicked cabals’ and ‘Urueoffong Oruko resist imposition of any candidate’, ‘Say no to God fatherism’ and ‘Urueoffong Oruko must elect their chairman comes October 2020’ among others.
They faulted the imposition of Mrs Precious Selong as the consensus Chairmanship candidate on the people of Urueoffong Oruko, instead of Colonel Sampson Edet (rtd), their choice candidate.
The protesting youths who were led by Mr Ben Okung said the wrong selection of aspirant could stagnate the progress and popularity of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the council area, adding that the protest is to show their disapproval of the candidate.
“The entire youths and concerned elders of Urueoffong Oruko came out to express their minds through a peaceful protest informing the PDP leadership in the state and their listening Governor that they don’t want Mrs Precious Selong as their chairperson.
“We are calling on our Governor who is the leader of the party to provide a level playing ground for all aspirants and their choice candidate, Colonel Sampson Edet (rtd) so that the people of the local government can be vindicated if their choice does not leave up to expectations.” Okung said.
Also speaking, party loyalist, Mr Emmanuel Okon frowned at the alleged removal of Colonel Sampson on the list of cleared aspirants by the party.
He said it was very disappointing and a slap on the people of the area who cannot point to any project executed during the tenure of Mrs Selong as Vice Chairperson and Transition Chairperson of the LG for three years respectively.
Another PDP stalwart in the council area, Elder Ante Ante explained that since the creation of the local government area in 1991 till date, they have nothing to show for the long existence of the LG.
“For the long years of existence, we have had local government chairmen both elected and appointed and none of them have been able to move the local government to its expected height.” Ante said.
