Deep
thoughts and appreciation from the bottom of my heart – Frank Archibong
It
is with a deep sense of responsibility that I write to express my deep thoughts
and appreciation to all members of our great Party, PDP, in Eket for clearly
choosing me to fly the flag of our Party in the Chairmanship Election coming up
on December 2, 2017. The support I felt on that day was incredible and I owe it
to you all. I feel highly honoured and humbled the overwhelming show of
confidence and the trust you have all placed in me.
In
expressing my appreciation, I will like to point out that my victory at the
Chairmanship Primaries held on 18th September, 2017 is a collective one for all
of the contestants and delegates and, by extension, a victory for all Eketians.
In this vein, I appreciate all those who voted for me, as well as those who
voted against me, and even those who did not vote at all. This is the beauty of
democracy
Particularly,
I commend all those who equally offered to serve the Eket Community for their
enrichment of the democratic process. I thank, especially, Chief Usoro I. Usoro
(my mentor), Hon. Monday Ette, Comrade David Mbre, Mr. Iniobong Udiongo, Hon.
Glory Sunday Bassey and others, all of whom deserve appreciation for the
vitality of their participation, the vastness of their individual visions and
the vigour of their commitment to the interest of the Eket people. It was truly
a family affair. They have shown that they are true democrats by the gracious
manner in which they have accepted the verdict. I assure them that their
various visions for a greater Eket will be incorporated into where we should be
heading to as a people.
Now
that the internal contest for the ticket of the PDP is over, let us move
forward and let us work together as one united family, so that we can realize
for our potentially great nation, Ekid, its manifest destiny. We must bear in
mind that the primary election is only the first leg of other challenges ahead.
In other words, the end of the primaries is only the beginning of the work we
are called to do, so we must put the past, especially the recent past, behind
us and learn to forge ahead together to face the general election coming up on
2nd December, 2017. On this note, I am sure our great Party will have in mind
to bring us all together in the coming days to fashion out how we shall
confront the forthcoming local government election.
The
way and manner the primaries were conducted is indeed a tribute to the
resilience of the democratic temper of the PDP, the biggest political party on
the continent of Africa. I therefore commend the leadership of our great Party,
at the State and Chapter level, for their untiring efforts at ensuring a free
and fair primary election, not just in Eket Local Government Area but across
the State.
I
commend, in particular, the Executive Governor of our dear State, Dcn. Udom Emmanuel,
for ensuring free and fair primaries across the State. The same appreciation
goes to the Chairman of our great Party in the State, Obong Paul Ekpo, and
members of his executive. Thank you very much for doing an excellent job.
In
the same vein, I express my heartfelt appreciation to the Chapter Chairman of
our great Party in Eket, ObongIwaad Emman Mbong, and members of his executive,
for providing a level playing field for all the aspirants to aspire. It is on
record that they sacrificed their time and energy to ensure that the primary
was not just a success but a free and fair one. With their support, I shall
carry the Chairmanship flag of the PDP in Eket with great pride and a rich
sense of victory at the forthcoming local government general election.
I
will like to pay special tribute to my father, and unbiased disposition in Eket
Local Govt. Politics, Political Leader in Eket, Rt. Hon. Chief Nduese Essien
for the fatherly, and especially in the build-ups to the primary election. I
want to reassure him that his confidence and investments in Eket politics will
not be in vain. Also worthy of mention are – Engr. Emmanuel Ekott, Prof. Etie
Ben Akpan, General Anthony Etukudo (Rtd.), Otuekong Ikpe Ubokudom, Eld. Sunny
Akpadiaha, Hon. Ekanem Willie, Akwaekong S. Idim (My Campaign Manager), Hon.
Uso C.H. Isong, Mr. Gordian Udo and Obongawan Mandu Abia who helped mobilize
the massive support of the women. The list is, in fact, unending. Their
encouragements and support made all of the difference.
My
conscience will not allow me if I fail to specifically appreciate the Youths
for sacrificially bearing the cost of picking my nomination form. Their action
constituted one of the best forms of encouragement to me. For this, I say a big
thank you to Prince Tommy Enodien (the Youth Caucus Chairman of Eket), Hon.
Charles Edoho (the Youth Council Chairman of Eket) and Comrade Daniel Essien
(the Coordinator of the Forum Village Youth Presidents, Eket Chapter).
In
a special way, I express my indebtedness to the delegates whom I choose to
describe as “true heroes of our democratic practice in Eket PDP”. My emergence
on that day was a demonstration of democracy at work and a testimony to the
fact that democracy as a concept is greater than the interest of individuals in
a free and functional political system. In addition to the Chapter Officers, I
appreciate the following persons/groups who were distinguished delegates to the
primary election: Ward Chairmen & their Secretaries; The State Treasurer,
Barr. Akpadiaha Ebitu; Member, representing Eket State Constituency in the Akwa
Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. David Lawrence Udofa; Former State House
of Assembly Members in Eket, Hon. Ayang A. Ayang and Rt. Hon. Jack Udota;
Former Zonal and State Officers of our Party in Eket, Dcns. Elizabeth Essien
and Hon. Kennedy Akwawo respectively; Former Chapter Chairmen & their
Secretaries who were eligible to vote and; all the Adhoc Delegates. Again, I
say a big thank you to all of you for the opportunity given to me to be our great
Party’s candidate in the forthcoming chairmanship election.
Finally,
there is no doubt that in the cause of our campaigns, nerves and tempers must
have been frayed but one thing is sure and that is the fact that our Party, the
PDP, is a Party that accepts challenges. We are a Party that confronts those
challenges. But above all, we are a Party that resolves challenges. And it is
exactly these qualities that will lead us to victory come December 2, 2017. In
other words, as a Party, we must continue to work as a team to deliver victory
at the general election, and this is why I am humbly inviting all my
co-contestants to join my campaign team which, of course, now becomes the
Party’s campaign team in the pursuit of the task ahead.
However,
we must expect our political opponents to assail us with the fury of their
desperation to win power. They will attempt to use every means – intimidation,
false accusations, hostile media engagements and more. Let us not descend to
their level. We must stay focused in the mission at hand, which is the mission
of returning Eket to her glory days. In doing this, we must make sure our
supporters have their voter’s card and we must get them motivated and eager to
make their mark by voting for us come December 2, 2017.
As
a way of ending, it is apt I point out that all we are saying and doing are all
geared towards the re-election of our performing Governor in 2019. In fact, I
make bold to state the resolve and pledge of the Eket people to not only
overwhelmingly vote for His Excellency again in 2019 but to continue to support
his performing administration till 2023. After all, we have no choice,
considering the solid foundation he is laying for a new Eket and the vistas of
opportunities he is opening up for the Eket people.
Thank
you.
Mr.
Frank Archibong
PDP Chairmanship Candidate
Eket Local Govt. Area
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