Now That The People Have Spoken
PRESS STATEMENT BY AKWA IBOM STATE COUNCIL OF CHIEFS ON THE SUCCESSFUL CONDUCT OF THE GUBERNATORIAL/STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY POLLS OF SATURDAY, MARCH 09, 2019.
You may wish to recall that, under the aegis of Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs, we held an extraordinary meeting of traditional rulers which embodied Paramount Rulers, Clan Heads, Village Heads and other traditional Chiefs on Wednesday, March 06, 2019 at Ibom Hall, Uyo.
As traditional fathers, who are the conscience and custodians of the people’s norms and traditions, the extraordinary meeting was convened to deliberate on the hitherto tensed political situations and the need to proffer a peaceful electoral process in Akwa Ibom State with regards to the now concluded Governorship /State House of Assembly polls.
At the meeting, we issued cautionary directives, calling on the candidates to solicit votes in a peaceful manner. We had also appealed to the Security Operatives deployed to our State to be professional and desist from any form of partisanship.
We are therefore very glad today that that Governorship/State House of Assembly polls ended very peacefully and the processes associated with the conduct of the elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) done with obvious impartiality as it was free, fair, transparent, credible and acceptable.
As the elections are over, we can safely return all glory to God, the Supreme Monarch of the universe, who answered the prayers of the people of Akwa Ibom State and granted us peace. We can only thank God for His intervention.
With the announcement of the election results by INEC and issuance of certificates of return to winners, we believe that the wishes of the people of Akwa Ibom State have been made manifest and therefore must be respected by all. As often said in Latin; Vox Populi Vox Dei (the voice of the people is the voice of God), let the outcome be taken without bad feelings.
Those wishes which emanated from the ballot, must not be subverted or twisted by any person, indigenous or exogenous. As Christians, we have to accept the basic reality that power comes from God and He gives it to whosoever, he pleases (Psalm 62:11).
We also commend the electoral umpire, the security personnel and indeed the Federal Government for superintending over such a critical process, creditably.
We hereby congratulate the Governor-elect, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel and urge him to be magnanimous in victory. As elders, we are very pleased with the conciliatory tone of his victory speech, which proclaimed that he will do justice to all, with malice to none.
The opposition must not be viewed as enemies but as necessary elements in governance under the democratic dispensation. We also congratulate all National and State Assembly members who were successful at the polls. We urge them to be united in the pursuit of the Akwa Ibom State project and the Nation at large. They must eschew selfishness and embrace unity and peaceful disposition
Finally, we must commend our youths, women and elders for the peace that has prevailed even after the elections as neither lives have been lost nor property damaged. The celebrations, though widespread, have been well organized and peaceful.
We trust that the God of our forebears, who led our leaders in times past to achieve heroic feats, will descend and abide with our State Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel and other elected leaders.
May God bless Akwa Ibom State
May God bless Nigeria
For and on behalf of Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs
HRM Edidem Apostle (Dr.) Ntoeng Udo Effiong Akpan, JP, Amb. P., POP, Paramount Ruler of Ini Local Government Area
Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs.
His Eminence, Nteyin Solomon Daniel Etuk, JP,
Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area,
Oku Ibom Ibibio and Patriarch of Ibibio Land
HRM Edidem Udo Joe Ntuk Obom Xll
Paramount Ruler of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area
HRM Owong (Dr.) Effiong Bassey Archianga, JP, FCE, FCAI
Paramount Ruler of Ibeno LGA
National President of TROMPCON
HRM Owong (Hon) Edet Okon Isemin
Ahta Oro
Paramount Ruler of Mbo LGA
HRM Odidem Bassey Etim Edet, JP, Eti Oyo Ekpo 11,
Paramount Ruler of Udung Uko LGA
HRM Okuku (Dr) Ime Udousoro Inyang
Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom
HRM Edidem E C D. Abia, FCA,
Attah Ekid Afid
Paramount Ruler, Eket LGA
