Posted by Athanasius ILEMS - PH.


An independent research think-tank based in Lagos, with a special interest in democratic governance and human rights known as Citizens' Participation For Good Governance (CPGG), has tipped the ACCORD Governorship Candidate in Akwa Ibom State; Engr. (Dr.) Emem Coffie FNICE, COREN, FIMC, FICEN, FIMS, to win the March 11 election.

This is the second time in about four weeks the Nsit Ubium born Engineer has been tipped by a major poll to pip the duo of People's Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Pastor Umo Eno/Engr. Michael Enyong and other candidates including APC, YPP and NNPP, for the State's highest political office.

It will be recalled that, the Isok Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation in Akwa Ibom, had in December 2022 favoured Coffie to win the 2023 election.

In the latest poll which was conducted by Citizens' Participation For Good Governance (CPGG) and published on Tuesday, 7th February, 2023, a total of 72 percent of the respondents said they would vote for the governorship candidate of ACCORD in the forthcoming election.

However, Coffie was followed by the candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Obong Bassey Albert and Senator John James Udoedehe, the candidate of NNPP and the PDP was ranked fourth.

“Four questions were asked each of the respondents. They are- (1) which of these four Akwa Ibom governorship candidates would you trust with your vote? (2) Which of them has the best programme for the state? (3) Which political party do you think would be best for Akwa Ibom State? (4) Which of the candidates do you consider sincerely love the State and would do everything possible to fulfill his promises?

"Of the 92 percent of participants who said they have their PVCs and decided how to vote, 72 percent named Emem Coffie as their first choice.

“Of those who are still unsure, 45 percent said the Abuja based Real Estate guru is their preferred candidate,” the independent researchers stated.

On the methodology employed, the think tank said 23,973 people were surveyed in the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom from January 5 to February 5.

“Respondents to the app-based poll were selected from quotas developed by age, gender and location across the State’s 31 LGAs.

“Results were then weighted against the original quotas to ensure State-wide representation,” they added.

Engr. Emem Coffie's leading points, according to the poll, emerged from the respondents’ view that he has never held any political office and has loads of integrity and one who can be trusted to deliver on his promise, indices on which some other candidates ranked low.