500,000 Votes Intact for Governor Udom's Re-election - Akpabio, Ekpenyong, others

Ndifreke P. Akpan (Govt House)

Stakeholders and political stalwarts from Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District have risen from a breakfast meeting with Governor Udom Emmanuel to re-iterate confidence in his leadership and pledge that all 500,000 votes in the district have been reserved for him in 2019.

The stakeholders led by Senate Minority leader, Dr Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Governor Mr Moses Ekpo, former Deputy Governor, Engr. Chris Ekpenyong and the PDP National Legal Adviser, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem commended Governor Emmanuel for his ability to effectively manage the affairs of the state in the face of the country’s economic challenges.

The position of the elders, presented to state house journalists by Dr. Chris Ekpenyong was that the impact of the recession was not felt in Akwa Ibom because of the quality of leadership offered by the Governor.

“So we came to say that our votes are intact and that we will deliver our votes. We don't know of the existence of any other party in spite of the fact that the President of Nigeria happens to come from another political party but we will remain a PDP government and by that extension, we will support our Governor for a second term.”

Engr Ekpenyong said that the district also known as Ikot Ekpene senatorial district, were in Uyo to re-assure that their people with a voting population of well over 500,000 were solidly behind him. “There are numerous states in Nigeria that Governors cannot pay salaries, pensions, run the affairs of government, but in our case, it is a different scenario entirely.”

Engr Ekpenyong said the district had already passed a vote of confidence on their son, Senator Akpabio, for a second term in the senate, describing him as their great voice.

He said their mission was to come and celebrate with the Governor in the spirit of the New Year and to assure him that 2018 was a new year marking a new beginning of more of God’s grace in the state. "The people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district will support Governor Udom Emmanuel for a second term come 2019". “But we came here primarily to say, Governor, don't shake and we call on other coordinates of the state, uyo senatorial district, eket senatorial district, to key in that we will all support Governor Udom Emmanuel for a second term.”

“Today, it is very obvious that the Governor is on course and the Governor is meeting the target of going to be the best Governor in the history of Nigeria after Godswill Akpabio.

The Senate Minority Leader, Dr Godswill Obot Akpabio, also said they were happy to pay the Governor a New Year visit and to show him solidarity. In addition to what the Minority Leader said, Barr Enoidem on his part further highlighted that Governor Emmanuel is fulfilling former Governor Akpabio’s predictions that he(Emmanuel) would emerge the best ever Governor in the country’s history. In Enoidem’s words, “Akpabio said he wants to be remembered as the Governor who produced the best Governor that will ever rule Nigeria in any state.”

Enoidem said that “the APC has made enough mistakes that we will capitalize on and win election come 2019, and urged every PDP member within and outside the state to continue to maintain faith with PDP.

The PDP National Legal Adviser explained that, “today, the leadership of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district are very delighted that Chief Dr Godswill Akpabio was led by God to bring on board, Governor Udom Emmanuel as his successor
“Every efforts, every event, every history that has unfolded since May 29, 2015 has demonstrated the fact that, that was a very wise choice and it was in line with the prayer of Akwa Ibom people that after Godswill Akpabio we should be able to have another Governor who will be focused, committed, sincere with Akwa Ibom projects like Udom Emmanuel is doing presently.”

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January 04, 2018