Abasiama Umoh

The National Legal Adviser, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, has continued to reiterate the strong resolve of the People of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District to stand with, support and vote for Governor Udom Emmanuel, in the fourth coming general elections. He made this known yesterday in Abak rally, saying that the support of the People of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District remains non negotiable, total and entirely sacrosanct for the reelection of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Meanwhile, Essien Udim People have asked the state Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, to have mercy on the atrocities committed by his predecessor, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, against the state.

Speaking during the Divine Mandate Campaign rally at the Council Secretariat, Afaha Ikot Ebak, the people who stormed the venue to show appreciation for the excellent performances of the Governor, stated that the former governor needed prayers.

They said that, they do not know what the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, has done to Akpabio that has warranted his irrational misconducts against indigenes of the state in its entirety within the last couple of months.

According to them, the greatest achievement of Godswill Akpabio’s eight years tenure was his choice of Udom Emmanuel as his successor.

They expressed sadness why the position of Essien Udim people to support the Governor for eight years has become a crime which they said, warranted Akpabio relocating the Essien Udim Police Station to Ikot Ekpene where he orders the arrest and detention of the youths on a daily basis.
“We don’t know what has gone wrong with Godswill Akpabio overnight. He really needs prayers,” Essien Udim youth leader, Hon Anthony Luke, stressed.

The political leader of the area, Chief Michael Afangideh, maintained that Godswill Akpabio brought Governor Emmanuel who came and cleansed the State of cultism, kidnapping, assassination and other anti social vices, restoring peace, decency and orderliness in the state.
He said Akpabio has no satisfiable reasons to attack Udom Emmanuel for restoring sanity and development in the state if he meant well for his people, and assured the Governor of the support of Essien Udim People for his second term in office.

The Coordinator General, PDP Campaigns in Essien Udim, Obong Barr. Imowo Okpokpo, on his part, said, Essien Udim people do not and cannot play politics of brotherhood but politics of performance.
He cited the Sunshine Batteries which was attracted to the state by the then Cross River State Governor, late Clement Isong, an Onna man, as the only industry in Essien Udim.
“Unfortunately, our brother governed the state for eight years without attracting any industry to the State, not even to Essien Udim his home town.

Since it is the duty of Onna Governors to bring industries to Essien Udim, we have decided to support you for eight years.” Barr. Okpokpo emphasized

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Council, Elder Raphael Isobara, assured the total support of the entire Essien Udim people because they know the area will stand on the positive side when the Governor might have finished rewriting the history of Akwa Ibom State.
“We have no reason not to support your eight years tenure as justice and equity demands, because we never had it this better even when our son had the opportunity".

Responding, Governor Udom Emmanuel thanked the people for their show of love and assured them of better days in his second term as he has discovered that the youths of the area were misled.

He said, youth empowerment was missing in Essien Udim, and promised to give them all their benefits, as he focuses on making Essien Udim the new investors haven.

Governor Emmanuel announced that the State Government has ordered Machines from Malaysia for the establishment of Palm Kernel and Crude Oil Crushing Plant in Essien Udim, adding that the Nto Ubiam road which leads to Catholic Bishop Umoh’s house has been awarded for construction.

The Governor enjoined the people to beware of someone who, after stabbing, turns around and cry for help. “This journey is like a relay. It rotates until it gets to the promised land. Beware of someone who, after handing the mantle, turns to be a hindrance to you.”

Over 500 people from the area dumped the broom party and joined forces in support of Governor Udom Emmanuel and PDP candidates in the forthcoming elections.

The Divine Mandate Campaign train moved to Abak local government area where the Governor was received by another mammoth crowd on standby.

At Abak, the story was not anything different, as Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, reiterated in strong voice, that the position of the people of Abak 5 remains justice, fairness and equity being done on the Governor to complete his eight years mandate in Akwa Ibom State.

Several other political Stalwarts in Abak took their turns to assure the Governor of their collective resolve to support him for a second term. while also extolling the Governor's industrialization strides, the Chairman of Council, Barr. Imo Williams, appreciated the Governor for his magnanimity to site, the Fertilizer blending company, Cassava processing mill, Girls Model Secondary School, all in Abak.