A frontline campaign group, Mkpoikana-Abasi Campaign Organization, has affirmed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the leading aspirant to the Ikono/INI federal House of Representatives’ seat, Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, will win the race, going by the indices and odds before them.

Speaking through its Director General, Barrister Edet Inyang Idim, the group assured that “PDP is very much prepared for the 2019 elections. The party will never lose sleep over any assumed opposition. PDP has a strong presence in Akwa Ibom State. We are prepared and our aspirant, Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, is prepared. He will emerge through a democratic process because our Governor, the leader of the party in the state, is democratic. So, winning for PDP is a sure bet and winning for Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo is a sure bet.”

“The platform for which our aspirant is contesting is a large platform. The party is very on ground. Our man, Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, is formidable, firm, strong and capable,” they added.

When asked how the group was helping their aspirant, Obong Ukpong-Udo, to manage the notion that he is not a politician, he said “If you are as close to Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo as we are, if you have had any cause to interact with him, you will realized that those who hold the view that he is not a politicians are mistaken. Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo is one man who understands the ground and the game. He is a politician with an unparallel dexterity. He is a good driver of Akwa Ibom political process. Individually and as a group, we are proud to have Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo as our leader.”

“Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo will win the Ikono/INI Federal House seat in 2019 as a reward for his landmark philanthropic nature and PDP will win Akwa Ibom as a reward for its landmark projects across the 31 Local Government Areas,” he added.

“Barrister Idim expressed optimism that their aspirants and PDP would record landslide victory in Akwa Ibom during the 2019 general elections, saying “The party has a tested antidote against every proposed antics of the opposition and what it takes to win the polls at all levels in 2019. As a frontline campaign group, we are determined to send our best Eleven in the persons of Deacon Udom Emmanuel and Obong Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo to Hilltop Mansion and the National Assembly. We will never allow anybody to jeopardize the wish of the people of the area or rig us out of elections in Ikono and INI Local Government Areas. We shall match them force by force and money for money,” he explained.

He appealed to members of the PDP not to be carried away by the euphoria of defections from the opposition to the PDP but to see it as another opportunity to work to deepen democracy in Nigeria.

Barrister Idim stressed the need for PDP to nominate credible candidates that would dislodge any opponent of its candidates for State House of Assembly, National Assembly, Governorship and Presidency.

The Director General further said, “The power to elect the party flag bearers is in our hands. We will do well to give the party good candidates and we will match the powers-that-be at the center. We will not vote for aspirants on sentiments. We are going to vote our aspirants based on their track record and proven competence.”

He underscored the need for members of the group, the people of Ikono/INI Federal Constituency and indeed Akwa Ibom State to be courageous and committed to deliver PDP during the general elections.