By Darlington UDOBONG
Special Adviser to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Political, Legislative Affairs and Water Resources, Barrister Ekong Sampson, has said the future of Akwa Ibom belongs to the PDP Defenders because of what it symbolizes.
Barrister Sampson made this known on Friday in Uyo when the group, an initiative of PDP Chairmanship and Councillorship aspirants in the 2018 Local Government polls, called on him.
Addressing members of the group, he said “Meeting with the Defenders has always been a thing of joy to me because the future belongs to the Defenders and I say this with every sense of responsibility. The group symbolizes patriotism, loyalty, good faith, courage, vision and the future. Here is a group that is a creation of circumstance, yet you have molded your circumstance into a mechanism for victory so much that the Governor, at critical fora in the state, has openly expressed his interest in the PDP Defenders.”
Barrister, who said the group was fast becoming an institution, thanked members of the group for their commitment to the success of Governor Udom Emmanuel.
In his words: “I thank you for your commitment to the success of Governor Udom Emmanuel. You are co-believers in the philosophy that the Governor has articulated in Akwa Ibom State; the philosophy of good governance, power sharing and investment. What Governor Udom Emmanuel has done in Akwa Ibom is to show very deep commitment to investing in the future of Akwa Ibom people and a Governor who invests so passionately in the future of his people clearly has a roadmap for the future and that is why there is a very strong current of opinion that Governor Udom Emmanuel deserves reelection, so that he can fully implement the very expansive roadmap that he has for Akwa Ibom State and PDP Defenders are the drivers of this reelection current.”
He also acknowledged the “interest and support that the State Chairman of PDP, Obong Paul Ekpo, has in the PDP Defenders,” and added that “PDP is unstoppable in Akwa Ibom. As at the last count, over 200 mainstream groups have endorsed Governor Udom Emmanuel for second term and when over 200 mainstream groups have endorse a Governor for second term, who can stop him, what can stop him? So, Governor Udom Emmanuel is unstoppable towards reelection given the strong current of opinion that has risen in his support.”
The Governor’s Special Adviser further commended the innovative stance of the group in giving women their pride of place through its Women Wing, saying “It is very salutary because women form a strong support plank of Governor Udom Emmanuel.”
In his remarks, the Coordinator of the group, Mr. Cyril Umoren, said they were at the Bureau “as people who are appreciative of your effort and to inform you that PDP Defenders are firmly rooted in all the 329 Wards of Akwa Ibom State.”
He said it was their resolve to turn their seeming failure to assets for the success of the Governor in 2019.
Mr. Umoren also informed the Special Adviser to the Governor of the group’s intention to officially put up an endorsement rally for the Governor, according to him, “We want to officially put up a rally to endorse the Governor for 2019. We will not just endorse but we will be in the field to ensure our endorsement comes to reality by voting. We must defend the party at all cost because for us, PDP is Akwa Ibom and Akwa Ibom is PDP.”
He also presented Mrs. Esther Bassey, a former Chairmanship aspirant from Nsit Atai, as the Woman Leader of the group.
