* You Have Nothing To Offer – Group Tells Sacked NDDC MD
Kenneth Jude
Former governorship aspirants in Akwa Ibom State under the banner of G22 today threw their weights behind the second term aspiration of Mr. Emmanuel Udom.
G22 is a group of 2014 Peoples Democratic party, PDP, gubernatorial aspirants in Akwa Ibom state.
The group is co-chaired by the APC governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Nsima Ekere, along with Amb. Assam Assam.
In a press conference in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Wednesday, the group said they are satisfied with the performance of Governor Emmanuel, adding that he deserves a second term in office.
“Our collective decision as patriots should go beyond party lines. Udom has done well and deserves a second term as the governor of our dear state. And, in considering the state of our nation, the people thereof and the manifestoes of the two major parties/candidates, it is better to rebuild Nigeria under the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, and get Nigeria working again, than live in the vain hope of a next level that may never come or become more disastrous than the level we are witnessing.”
The press release was signed by 15 of the 22 members including
Ambassador Assam Assam, SAN; HE Engr Patrick Ekpotu; Sen. Helen Esuene; Chief Barr Ekpeyong Ntekim; Chief Benji Okoko; Dr Sam Udonsak; Engr Larry Esin; Chief Engr Ime Ekanem; Pastor Ita Udo; Prof Peter Esuh; Engr Effiong Usin; Rt Hon Okpolupm Etteh; Pst Engr David Okpon; Prince Chris Abasi Eyo; and Rt Hon Jerome
Isangadighi.
The group said given the prevailing realities, they have decided to pitch tent with Governor Udom Emmanuel whom, according to them, means well for the state. They dismissed the ability of their co-chairman and governorship candidate of the APC, Mr. Nsima Ekere to be governor, noting that the former NDDC MD has nothing to offer Akwa Ibom State.
They maintained that Governor Emmanuel has in the past three and a half years worked round the clock to put the state on the pedestal of growth and economic stability. “We have witnessed in the past three and half years, all that His Excellency, Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, has done to stabilize the state and put it back on the pedestal of growth and stability. We have witnessed development in infrastructure, education, transportation, health and sports. The agricultural sector has been improved almost to the level of food sufficiency.”
They also commended the governor for his strides in the areas of agriculture and industries, adding that all these have been possible at a time the country suffered under the weight of recession.
“The landscape of our state is getting saturated with industries, which is helping in job creation. In the era of recession, Governor Udom Emmanuel has managed our economy well. The investor friendly climate he has created has attracted not less than fifteen industries to the state and these are pointers to a brighter future,” they submitted.
The forum noted that the peace and unity enjoyed in the state under the administration of Governor Emmanuel has further endeared him to them, adding, “These outcomes have seriously endeared him to us because they fall within the benchmark of the pursuit of Akwa Ibom state of our dreams.
It is pertinent to state without equivocation that we the undersigned members of G22, have resolved to stand with Udom Emmanuel, in the quest to move our dear state forward.”
They called on the people to support the reelection of the governor so that he can consolidate on what he has begun in the state. According to them: “It is therefore patriotic to call on all good people and residents of our state to support Governor Udom Emmanuel in his second term bid to consolidate on the strategic repositioning of our state based on his lofty policies/agenda. Of truth, the Dakkada philosophy is all encompassing in its creed to ginger every Akwa Ibom son and daughter to greatness. Let us therefore arise above mediocrity, meddlesomeness, godfatherism, greed, imposition and the culture of money politics. Let us enshrine in our state the fear of God and sustain the tempo of leadership Udom has brought.”
The group noted that there’s the need to maintain the zoning arrangement in the state which, according to them, is a vehicle for socio-political inclusion. ” the entrenched zoning culture of the PDP, serves as a vehicle for socio-political inclusion, and by it, all component groups/ethnic nationalities in Akwa Ibom State, will have a shot at the governorship no matter how long they wait. In waiting to take these turns, going with Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel will make the waiting shorter, precise, devoid of probability and ambiguity.”
They called on Akwa Ibomites and residents alike to eschew all forms of blind partisanship and greed, adding, “we should join hands to re enthrone Governor Udom Emmanuel as a matter of necessity and create a model state that will be the envy of all Nigerians.”
