...decry neglect, abandonment by Ekere, APC
By John Ntekim -
UYO
Youths of the third largest ethnic group in Akwa Ibom State
(Oro) under that auspices of a body which is generally known as the youth wing
of the All Progressive Congress in Oro Nation, Nlap Isong Akpakip Oro have
notified the general public of their decision to oppose the gubernatorial
campaign of a former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State and incumbent Managing
Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Obong Nsima U. Ekere ahead of February 2019 General
Election. The said youths have also affirmed not to support the APC at any
level during the electioneering campaigns and at the poll.
These declarations were communicated by the disappointed youths
who have been supporters of the opposition party in the state through a press
statement containing nine outlined reasons justifying their resolutions. Issued
by the leadership of the group with the title 'Why Oro Nation youths will not
support Obong Nsima Ekere & All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2019' and
dated 9th November, 2017, the statement is jointly signed by the group's
President, Hon. Victor Anwanakak and the Secretary General, Mr. Emmanuel Atansek.
According to the press letter, the youths are displeased with
the unreadiness of the gubernatorial hopeful (Obong Ekere) and other leaders of
the party to empower the group members through appointments, scholarships and
contracts which they expect as rewards for corroborating with the APC since the
party was founded in 2013, emphasising that "No elder or woman from Oro
extraction has benefitted from NDDC contracts under Obong Nsima Ekere's tenure
as MD."
According to the group members, "Obong Nsima Ekere in his
disinclination for Oro Nation has refused youths of the area any appointments
(sic) into his personal assistance and special advisory positions" as MD
of NDDC.
Stressing that youths from the area who applied for NDDC
scholarships were "systematically" denied access and adding that not
a single youth from the five local government areas of Oro Nation has
benefitted from the NDDC volunteer scheme, the youths have also accused the
disowned erstwhile number two citizen of the state of conspiring against
"all prospects of an Oro man or woman completing the remaining four years
left behind by Engr. Etim Inyang Jnr who represented Akwa Ibom on the board
of the commission" (NDDC).
Most embarrassing to Ekere's personality is the allegation that
he has "colluded with some APC stakeholders to deny Oro of any top
government appointment over the years.
The statement which however questions the non implementation of
any of the many advertised NDDC projects in Oro Nation describes the youths of
Oro as "victims of viciousness" by APC and Obong Nsima Ekere.
Furthermore, the young persons note that they have discovered a
better alternative (unmentioned) to Obong Ekere as governor, stressing that
they have resolved "never to support Obong Nsima Ekere in his future
political ambition." The youths have also affirmed that henceforth, the
group "will never support the All Progressive Congress (APC)."
It is noteworthy that the said group known and referred to as
'Nlap Isong Akpakip Oro' is renowned for its previous roles in promoting the
APC, with its members including the least person in its leadership being
members and supporters of the careworn opposition party in Akwa Ibom State.
See statement below as released by the said group...
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