Buhari coordinator defects to PDP as Gov Emmanuel flags off re-election campaign

The Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign groups and former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Engr. Ignatius Edet was among some 5,000 All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains and members who rejoined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Wednesday as Governor Udom Emmanuel flagged off his governorship re-election campaign. This is even as Governor Emmanuel has declared that he was not elected Governor to complete monuments and projects that were of no economic benefit to the people but to initiate and complete economically viable projects. Edet, while expressing joy for rejoining the PDP, a party he described as sensitive to the wishes and aspiration of members explained that he left the APC because of high handedness of some party chieftains including a Senior aide to President Buhari, Senator Ita Enang who with other chieftains conspired to handpicked candidates of the party in the last primaries. The ex Speaker expressed disappointment with the running of the APC in the state and expressed confidence that the PDP which had been on ground in the state with sustainable structures would sweep the polls. Reaffirming his belief in his re-election Emmanuel restated his commitment to the completion of his five point agenda adding that his achievements in power, education, health, youth and women empowerment, security, poverty alleviation, industrialization remained unrivalled even as students and other groups have given him a pass mark for increasing the pass rate of WAEC from 60% to more than 70 per cent in the area. During recession Gov Emmanuel said he revived the economy of the state even as for the first time Akwa Ibom has become an industrial destination in Nigeria. He accused Senator Godswill Akpabio of building monuments even as some of his projects were not driven by the needs of the people of the state when they were executed. Governor Emmanuel further said that the PDP remained the only real popular and peoples party in Nigeria accusing the APC of sowing military uniforms in order to rig the elections in the state adding that he has been able to bring to an end political related killings and kidnapping adding that the people of the South South region would remain for the PDP because of their role in the peace development and prosperity of the region. “I offer myself to complete what we have started for the youths. There are element of integrity, love and sincerity contained in all sections of our manifesto and our commitment to industrialization, youth and women empowerment, education and robust health system remain irrevocable.” The Governor concluded. In his goodwill message the Governor of Bayelsa and chairman of South South Governors Forum, Chief Seriaki Dickson on behalf of the people of Bayelsa and other governors in the region commended Akwa Ibom people for their support to Emmanuel who he described as a good product and reminded them of the need to re -elect him urging the Governor not to be distracted by friends and party members who withdrew their support for him. Dickson who recalled how Emmanuel supported him to win a second term said it was important that the people allow the Governor to consolidate on his numerous achievements in security and industrialization, commending members of the PDP for their steadfastness and congratulated the governor in advance of his victory at the polls. The state of chairman of PDP, Mr Paul Ekpo who expressed happiness for having Emmanuel as the governor of the state and promised that the state working committee would redouble their efforts to ensure the victory of the candidates of the party at all levels. Speaker, State House of Assembly, Barrister Oniofok Luke who said the occasion was to thank God for the anticipated victory of Emmanuel in the March 2nd election and assured that the people, especially members of the House of Assembly are determined within their capacity to ensure his success. Luke said the governor remained untainted by misappropriation like the APC guber candidate who have been confronted with several cases of mismanagement of public funds and commended the governor for his prudent management of the resources of the state. Senator Bassey Albert who spoke for the people of Uyo Senatorial District maintained that since former governors from other senatorial districts completed their eight years full cycle it was only a matter of justice and fairness for Governor Udom Emmanuel to complete his Bassey assured that the people of the area could not afford to wait for another eight years for their turn to be governor since it would be their turn after Eket Senatorial District and promised that the people of the area would cast their block vote for the Governor. While speaking for the people of Eket senatorial district where Emmanuel incidentally comes from Obong Obot Etukofia said the people of the area were proud of the candidature of the governor saying her has been inspirational, focused, credible and determined in redefining the economic fortunes of the people. The people of Ikot Ekpene senatorial district who presented their goodwill message through the National Legal Adviser of PDP Barr Emmanuel Enoidem said the Governor has contributed immensely in reviving the economic fortunes of the state even as he said that the people of the area would always identify with superior development. Enoidem said that there was no alternative to Governor Emmanuel as his main rival and APC guber candidate Mr Nsima Ekere was not qualified to rule the state as he could not succeed as a deputy governor. The ex special duties commissioner who said that the governor has performed creditably on his five point agenda saying that the only attraction for the other parties in the state to the government house remained the state allocation. He regretted that the economic fortunes of the country under the administration of the APC have nosedived with all available indices including that the World Bank painting a gloomy picture for the country adding that the threats of use of federal might by the APC in the state would not intimidate the people.
Senator Helen Esuene said the Governor has always identified with the wishes and aspirations of women adding that it was not a mistake that the women of the state have thrown their weight behind Emmanuel. Isaac Job, Uyo