"I want to let people know that in PDP, we mean Progress,
in PDP, we mean human development, in PDP, we mean everything that something
good stands for".
These were the words of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom
Emmanuel while flagging off the December 2, 2017 Local Government election
campaign for PDP in the state at the Uyo township stadium.
Governor Emmanuel who spoke in excitement, noted that the Peoples
Democratic Party, is about politics of development, progress and prosperity.
The Governor described those who decamped to the PDP from the
All Progressive Congress, APC during the flag off ceremony as brothers and
celebrated their return.
The Governor said he got from the grapevine that those in the
opposition have planned to use the social media to announce fake results in
their favour during the December 2, 2017 elections.
He stated that the only valid result expected after the local
Government poll will come from the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral
Commission, AKISIEC.
Speaking further, the Governor asked "Akwa Ibom as at
today, we are only one month to the election, have you seen any other party
campaigning? Have you heard of any other party? So if PDP wins hundred over
hundred, what will happen?".
The State Chief Executive recalled with satisfaction that the
party did not record any act of violence during congresses and primaries at
different levels and expressed optimism that there would be nothing of such
during the December 2, 2017 elections.
He told the PDP National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator
Ahmed Makarfi that aspirants who lost their party nomination across the state
formed themselves into a body known as PDP Defenders. Their resolve is to work
for the overall interest of the party with him, the Governor, as their Grand
Patron.
Governor Emmanuel who appeared unperturbed about the issue of
not having the party at the center told the people that where they come from is
their center.
He noted that as the highest oil producer in the country, the
state has no federal presence to show for it stressing, that every development
seen in the state is the initiative of the state government.
"Today, oil prices have gone over sixty one dollars a
barrel. Last month, the allocation they gave to Akwa Ibom State was lower than
what they gave us a month before. How can you explain that?" Governor
Emmanuel asked.
He therefore stated emphatically that it is only in PDP that
fairness, justice and equity can be guaranteed in the country.
Governor Emmanuel also used the occassion to commend an Akwa
Ibom son, Mr Michael Okon Bassey who has just bagged 1st Class with
Distinction, Masters of Science Degree(MSC) in INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, SRM
University, Chennai-India.
In over 30 years in that University, there has been no such CGPA
of 9.43 on a 10 points grade.
SRM University is the first University to launch Rocket to Space.
SRM University is the first University to launch Rocket to Space.
The National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the PDP, Senator
Ahmed Makarfi described the party as a government in waiting in the country and
encouraged members to ignore rumor mongers and be united.
Senator Makarfi said there was no doubt that the thirty one
local councils will be won by the PDP with free and fair elections noting that
the party is like a religion in Akwa Ibom state.
The party Boss thanked Governor Emmanuel for standing by the
National Caretaker Committee saying that the support had enabled them to
succeed thus far and expressed the hope that he would continue in that
direction till the December 9-10 National Convention where new officers are to
be elected.
He also thanked party faithful for the support to the party at
all levels and called for total support to the Governor.
"I thank you for all the support you have been giving to us
and I urge you to continue to give your support to your Governor a 100%, we
don't want 99%, we don't want 99.9%, we want you to give him a 100%
support". Makarfi stressed.
Speaking earlier, the state Party Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo had
said that the PDP will work to win the thirty one local government areas,
explaining that the leadership of the party has outlined processes to achieve
victory beginning with the flag off in Uyo, the state capital.
Obong Ekpo said the campaign will move to the thirty one local
government areas and the three hundred and twenty nine wards of Akwa Ibom state
from Monday, November 6, 2017 and thanked the leadership of the party at the national
level for identifying with the party in the state.
The Senate Minority leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio expressed
joy over the large turn out and said in a joking manner that it was an
indication of what to expect when his senatorial re-election bid and that of
the Governor will be flagged off.
The Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Onofiok
Luke in a goodwill message spoke with a sense of conviction
Ndifreke P. Akpan
Aksg House Press Uyo
Aksg House Press Uyo
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