It was pomp, celebration and pageantry as the People of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, on Monday, 16 July, 2018, unanimously endorsed and passed votes of confidence on Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State and the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for another term in 2019.
The endorsement for another term in 2019 and votes of confidence on the State Governor and the Senator representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District was passed through a motion moved and seconded by the Leader and Chief Whip of the State House of Assembly, Sir Udo Kierian Akpan and Mr. Emmanuel Ekpenyong amidst cheers by the people of the area.
Speaking, Chairman of the occasion and former Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Chris Ekpenyong, lauded the effort of the Governor and the Senate Minority Leader in ensuring that the “district have fair share of democratic dividends especially in the area of infrastructure, industrialization and manpower development.”
He added that “their uncommon performance in office will sure speak for them in 2019 as the people of the area are grateful for their achievements. The people of the area are determined to reciprocate this kind gesture through their votes in 2019.”
Also speaking on behalf of their Federal Constituencies, Senator Ibok Essien, Obong Eno Akpan, Sir S.U Akpan, Barrister Emmanuel Enoidem, in their separate goodwill messages, extolled Governor Emmanuel and Senator Akpabio and stressed that “the reward for a good work done is more work.”
“A good soup cost money and our Governor and Senator have been preparing good soup for Akwa Ibom and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District respectively and they do this by spending so much money. So, it is obvious that one cannot change the winning team. That is why we are all here to declare our unalloyed support to them and encourage them to do more for us,” Senator Ibok-Essien added.
“We have met and examined why we should be here to endorse Governor Udom Emmanuel and Senator Godswill Akpabio for second terms and so we have come to conclusion that they have done very well as expected. The Governor has done well as our uncommon son in-law. Senator Akpabio has proven to be the first Senator that has given us an unprecedented representation in the Senate. So, it is on this strength, that we endorse both of you for 2019,” Obong Eno Akpan also added.
In his submission, sir S. U Akpan said “We the good people of this senatorial district have agreed to totally endorse Governor Udom Emmanuel and Senator Godswill Akpabio so that they can continue to remain our role models. We know that the support base for your reelection must be solid, firm and strong. On this ground, our people have come here in their numbers to officially declare our total support for your reelection because we know that the only party that can give us restructuring is the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and with both of you, our desire will be achieved in 2019. We are battle ready to reelect you in forthcoming general elections.”
In his remarks, Chairman of State Chairmen of PDP and Chairman of Akwa Ibom State PDP, Obong Paul Ekpo, commended the people of the district for their show of love, unity and solidarity for the Governor and the Senate Minority Leader.
While acknowledging that the people of the district have toed the good path of Uyo Senatorial District, he promised not to take such show of solidarity for granted just as the process to select candidates for the forthcoming general elections is fast approaching.
According to Obong Ekpo, “I appreciated and commended what Uyo did and now Ikot Ekpene has also done it by endorsing the performing Governor for a second term as well as the Senate Minority Leader. The party hierarchy will ensure that this endorsement is not taken for granted during the process of selecting candidates who will win elections for the party and for the state at all levels.”
Responding, the Senate Minority Leader thanked the people of the district for believing in him and Governor Udom Emmanuel, saying the success story of their administration cannot be told but for the cooperation and support of the people.
“When it is like this, I don’t think I should speak but in an occasion like this, I can only say thank you. The totality of all that you have done and said today is that one good term deserves another. Yes, we have done over 58 projects and it is here that we had a fantastic constituency briefing months ago and Governor Udom Emmanuel has done a lot of projects for our people. It is good that you all have come to say that we should continue with our good works. Thank You. Remember that I assured you that if am elected Governor in 2007, I will bring you an uncommon transformation and you stood by me and we succeeded. In 2011, I came to say that you should let Godswill be done again, it was done again. In 2015, I came to say, let Godswill be done again and again, and you stood by me and Godswill was done again and again. Now, I am here to say let Godswill be done in 2019 again and I know with your support it will be done,” Senator Akpabio said.
Responding also, Governor Emmanuel, after listing some of his administration’s projects executed in various parts of the district, said “I am amazed by this show of solidarity and love. On our score sheet we can agree that this Senatorial District holds a good spot in my heart, as such, my administration is committed to changing the infrastructural and socio-economic fortune of people of this district. The large turnout here shows that no matter what you do, if you don’t have people, you have nothing. So I am impressed by your kind endorsement and I promise to do my best with the mandate you have given me.”
The event, which featured the presentation of symbols of victory and success to the Governor and Senate Minority Leader, had members of the National Assembly, State House of Assembly, State Executive Council members, State Working Committee of PDP, Governor’s Aides, Local Government Council Chairmen and their Vice, Councillors, Stakeholders, supporters and fans in attendance. #ISDEndorsementRally
