By Ndifreke AKPAN
“I want to let people know that in PDP, we mean Progress, in PDP, we mean human development, in PDP, we mean everything that something good stands for”.
These were the words of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel while flagging off the December 2, 2017 Local Government election campaign for PDP in the state at the Uyo township stadium.
Governor Emmanuel who spoke in excitement, noted that the Peoples Democratic Party, is about politics of development, progress and prosperity.
The Governor described those who decamped to the PDP from the All Progressive Congress, APC during the flag off ceremony as brothers and celebrated their return.
The Governor said he got from the grapevine that those in the opposition have planned to use the social media to announce fake results in their favour during the December 2, 2017 elections.
He stated that the only valid result expected after the local Government poll will come from the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission, AKISIEC.
Speaking further, the Governor asked “Akwa Ibom as at today, we are only one month to the election, have you seen any other party campaigning? Have you heard of any other party? So if PDP wins hundred over hundred, what will happen?”.
The State Chief Executive recalled with satisfaction that the party did not record any act of violence during congresses and primaries at different levels and expressed optimism that there would be nothing of such during the December 2, 2017 elections.
He told the PDP National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi that aspirants who lost their party nomination across the state formed themselves into a body known as PDP Defenders. Their resolve is to work for the overall interest of the party with him, the Governor, as their Grand Patron.
Governor Emmanuel who appeared unperturbed about the issue of not having the party at the center told the people that where they come from is their center.
He noted that as the highest oil producer in the country, the state has no federal presence to show for it stressing, that every development seen in the state is the initiative of the state government.
“Today, oil prices have gone over sixty one dollars a barrel. Last month, the allocation they gave to Akwa Ibom State was lower than what they gave us a month before. How can you explain that?” Governor Emmanuel asked.
He therefore stated emphatically that it is only in PDP that fairness, justice and equity can be guaranteed in the country.
Governor Emmanuel also used the occassion to commend an Akwa Ibom son, Mr Michael Okon Bassey who has just bagged 1st Class with Distinction, Masters of Science Degree(MSC) in INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, SRM University, Chennai-India.
In over 30 years in that University, there has been no such CGPA of 9.43 on a 10 points grade.Â
SRM University is the first University to launch Rocket to Space.
The National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi described the party as a government in waiting in the country and encouraged members to ignore rumor mongers and be united.
Senator Makarfi said there was no doubt that the thirty one local councils will be won by the PDP with free and fair elections noting that the party is like a religion in Akwa Ibom state.
The party Boss thanked Governor Emmanuel for standing by the National Caretaker Committee saying that the support had enabled them to succeed thus far and expressed the hope that he would continue in that direction till the December 9-10 National Convention where new officers are to be elected.
He also thanked party faithful for the support to the party at all levels and called for total support to the Governor.
“I thank you for all the support you have been giving to us and I urge you to continue to give your support to your Governor a 100%, we don’t want 99%, we don’t want 99.9%, we want you to give him a 100% support”. Makarfi stressed.
Speaking earlier, the state Party Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo had said that the PDP will work to win the thirty one local government areas, explaining that the leadership of the party has outlined processes to achieve victory beginning with the flag off in Uyo, the state capital.
Obong Ekpo said the campaign will move to the thirty one local government areas and the three hundred and twenty nine wards of Akwa Ibom state from Monday, November 6, 2017 Â and thanked the leadership of the party at the national level for identifying with the party in the state.
The Senate Minority leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio expressed joy over the large turn out and said in a joking manner that it was an indication of what to expect when his senatorial re-election bid and that of the Governor will be flagged off.
The Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke in a goodwill message spoke with a sense of conviction that the party will win the Local Government elections across the state and cited records of performance by the PDP led government in the state as his justification.
Hon. Luke announced that the only opposition member in the House of Assembly, Hon. Asuquo Archibong, representing Urue Offong Oruko is now a member of the PDP, making the 26 member House of Assembly all PDP.
He said they were set to take the campaign to the nooks and crannies of their constituencies.
Former Deputy Governor, Engr Chris Ekpenyong, Former Minister, Dr (Mrs) Akon Eyakenyi and the state PDP youth leader, Enobong Harry also presented Goodwill messages.
The event featured presentation of flags to the 31 PDP Chairmanship Candidates alongside their running mates and a handshake of fellowship to all the decampees by the PDP National Caretaker Committee Chairman.
