2019: No Going Back On Gov Udom’s 2nd Term Bid- Obong Paul Ekpo

By Uwakmfon Dan-

Political bigwigs in Akwa Ibom State have said there is no going back on the second term bid of the State Chief Executive, Mr Udom Emmanuel, sending powerful signals, that other aspirants for the 2019 gubernatorial election
may do nothing, but wait til 2023.

This was the position of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. (Barr.) Onofiok Luke, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Captain Iniobong Ekong (Rtd) at the New Year Get-together of Ndito Nsit in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, organised by Rtd. Captain Iniobong Ekong, over the weekend.

Addressing a marmot crowd at the event held at Rtd. Captain Ekong’s compound, Ikot Akpafuk, Barr. Onofiok Luke recalled that previous Governors in the state, including Arch. Victor Attah (Uyo Senatorial District) and Senator Godswill Akpabio (Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District) had enjoyed an eight-year tenure, maintaining it would be unfair not to allow Governor Emmanuel (from Eket Senatorial District) have similar opportunity, especially as the Governor had lived up to expectation.

The House of Assembly helmsman said Governor Udom Emmanuel, for his superlative performance, deserves not only a second term, but a united front, to enable him consolidate on the gains of his administration, noting that no amount of blackmail on the Governor can weigh him (the Governor) down.

“The grace that was available for Obong Victor Attah to do eight years, the grace that was available for Senator Godswill Akpabio to do eight years, that same grace, shall be available to Governor Udom Emmanuel and he will do eight years”, he added.

Luke who also lauded Governor Emmanuel for constructing the Eket-Esit Eket road, and Rtd Captain Ekong for championing the New Year Get-together, said PDP remains the only party in Akwa Ibom State with genuine concern for citizens’ welfare and enjoined the people of Nsit to eschew rancor but continue in their unalloyed support for the present administration in the state as more development awaits them.

Briefing the people on his constituency programmes, the Speaker hinted that he has initiated a Monthly Prayer programme and constructed a Worship Centre in the area, which according to him, would further ensure peace and unity in Nsit Ubium, while serving as a reference point between the people and God.

On his part, the State PDP Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo thanked Rtd Captain Iniobong Ekong for his generosity and foresight in organising the New Year Get-together, saying it will not only serve as a unifying factor among grassroot dwellers, but a strong avenue to garner support for PDP.

Obong Ekpo who also used the occasion to drum support for Governor Emmanuel, however frowned at the activities of some politicians concentrating more in creating what he described as “structures”, even when the Governor is yet to spend two years in Office.

He advised such politicians to be rather concerned in working for the success of the current state administration, as the Governor’s second term agenda was not negotiable.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, and convener of the New Year Get-together, Rtd. Captain Iniobong Ekong, had also thrown his weight behind Governor Emmanuel’s second term bid, and appealed to Nsit people to do same.

Ekong who thanked the people for gracing the event in their large numbers, said they had more reasons to support Governor Emmanuel’s re-election bid, as the present government is closer to them, with Barr. Onofiok Luke, a son of the area, as third in command in the state and announced a cash donation of N350,000 and a live cow for each Ward in Nsit Clan.

Others who spoke at the well attended ceremony which featured cultural performances, included the Chairman of function, and Managing Director of Royalty Hotels, Eket, Pastor Umo Eno and representives of the four Wards in Nsit Clan.

Present at the event were Members bers of the State House of Assembly, including the Member representing Eket-Esit Eket State Constituency, and Chairman House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon (Dr) Usoh Akpanusoh, his Ini State Constituency counterpart and Chairman, House Committee on Special Duties, Hon. Emmanuel Bassey, former Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Prince Enobong Uwah, and that of Special Duties, Hon. Emmanuel Enoidem.

Others included former Permanent Secretaries, Captains of industries, Special Assistant to the Governor on Entertainment, Mr. David Sergeant, that of Project Monitoring, Godfada Uko and his Media counterpart, Mr. Essien Ndueso, Royal Fathers, the political class, the clergy, including women and youth groups of Nsit extraction.