By Edifon ABASI-OBOT
Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chairman, Forum of PDP State Chairmen in Nigeria, Obong Paul Ekpo, has continued to draw the goodwill of Akwa Ibom people for his party, thereby boosting the confidence of the party, even as the people of Mkpat Enin LGA vowto maintain the lead as largest PDP support base in the State.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Political and Legislative Affairs, Barrister Ekong Sampson, gave the assurance as the PDP campaign train for the forthcoming local government election across the State visited Mkpat Enin LGA.
Barrister Ekong Sampson said, with 14 wards, Mkpat Enin remains the largest PDP family in the State, adding that for all 14 councillorship candidates of the PDP to win, is consistent with the tradition of Mkpat Enin.To him, the large turnout of supporter at the PDP rally in Mkpat Enin was just to be expected.
The Akwa Ibom Political helmsman, who is also hailed “the political junction of Mkpat Enin” maintained that Mkpat Enin LGA became totally PDP since 2003 when he served as chairman of council and remains a PDP stronghold.
In his words, “before I was elected Chairman of Council in 2003, there were pockets of different political parties here and there, but after my swearing in Mkpat Enin became PDP 14/14. Come December 2, Mkpat Enin will repeat it again, 14/14 for the PDP,” Ekong Sampson said.He said Mkpat Enin has chosen Mr. Ekanem Brown as their next Chairman and Hon. Anietie Okodi as Vice Chairman, and that that is how it will remain after December 2, 2017.
Barrister Ekong Sampson explained that in Mkpat Enin the zoning system was respected in all the 14 wards as well as in nominating the chairmanship candidate. By this Mkpat Enin Urban (Ukpum Minya ward IV)that has never produced a chairman of council, despite being host of the council headquarters, now has an opportunity to produce the next chairman of Mkpat Enin. “PDP stands for justice, it was Urban’s turn and PDP gave it to Urban. That explains why we there is peace in Mkpat Enin,” Barrister Sampson added.
According to the Special Adviser, Mkpat Enin LGA gave Governor Udom Emmanuel the highest number of votes in the 2014 governorship primaries and will,in 2019, keep faith with that tradition to re-elect the Governor for a second term. “We were the first to adopt the Governor Udom Emmanuel for a second term, so Governor Udom Emmanuel will win fundamentally, principally, predominantly, massively and convincingly in Mkpat Enin and indeed, Akwa Ibom State.” -Barrister Ekong Sampson.
Commissioner II at the Ethical and Attitudinal Re-Orientation Commission (EARCOM), Dr. (Mrs.) Imefon Udoh, who spoke on behalf of the women, thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel and the PDP for carrying the women along in governance. She reassured the party that all Mkpat Enin women remain intact under the umbrella and will turn out massively to give bloc votes to the party in all elections.
A former Commissioner, Obong Barrister Jerry Akpan, attributed the joy in the air at the rally to the fact that what Ukpum Minya was looking for has been given to them, what Ukpum Minya Ward 4 deserved has been gives to them.
Barrister Jerry Akpan affirmed that Mkpat Enin has always been and will continue to be a PDP local government area. He said, “come December 12, we are going to return 14/14. Anyone carrying the PDP ticket in Mkpat Enin has no choice than to win. We will join hands and make sure that all of PDP candidates win in all elections, so that Mkpat Enin people will keep enjoying the dividends of democracy.
The Coordinator of PDP Defenders in the State, an umbrella association of all aspirants in the last PDP local government primaries, Mr. Cyril Umoren, expressed delight in the turnout and adornments at the PDP rally in Mkpat Enin.
Cyril Umoren reiterated that the Chairmanship of Mkpat Enin LGA was not zoned to any person, but to Ukpum Minya clan, and that the choice of Ekanem Brown by Mkpat Enin people and the PDP is victory for Ukpum Minya. He restated the resolve of all aspirants in the PDP primaries to join force and support the candidates of the party in the December 2, elections and ensure the re-election of Governor Udom Emmanuel in 2019.
Highpoints of the Mkpat Enin event were the issuance of flag to the 14 Councillorship Candidates of the PDP and a public denunciation of membership of the APC by a renowned youth mobilizer in the area, Mr. Ini Andrew brown, with a range of APC grassroots executives and hundreds of followers, as well as their reception back to the party by the State Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo.
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