PDP, APC in battle for supremacy in A’ Ibom

The stage is set for the mother of all battles in next month general election in Akwa Ibom. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) are criss-crossing the length and breadth of Akwa Ibom canvassing for votes either to continue in office or to oust out the incumbent. By whatever means, each political party employs all strategy to outshine another.For the All Progressive Congress (APC), the Party has rejuvenated as the former Governor of the state and immediate past Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio brought crowd of followers into it. However, the crusaders in the forefront of APC epic battle include the Managing Director of Oil and Gas Free Zone, Obong Umanah Okon Umanah, the wife of the former secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mrs Eme Ufot Ekaette, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Senator John James Akpan udoedehe, former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Atuekong Don Etiebet among others. Addressing the mammoth crowd of supporters at Uyo Township Stadium yesterday, Senator Udoedehe said it was the first time in the history of Akwa Ibom where all the people that matters gather to produce a Governor. “l build APC in Akwa Ibom when opposition was a taboo. No matter what you say, this is our turn.”Apparently referring to PDP government in the state, Senator Udoedehe said “forget the man that gives you toothpick without giving you meat” Collaborating the viewpoint of his campaigners, the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) party and Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Obong Nsima Ekere said his vision for Akwa Ibom is anchored on a five point agenda that will accelerate the pace of development in the state. He disabused the mind of the public that APC is not a violent party as portrayed by the opposition in the state. Instead, Ekere accused Udom Emmanuel of engaging a security consultant to help plot how election would be rigged through mercenaries But the People Democratic Party (PDP) is not resting in its oars to ensure that Governor Udom Emmanuel is re- elected in office. Using various political strategies, the PDP commenced unit by unit mobilization of voters. Last December the party inaugurated canvassers in all the units throughout the 329 wards in Akwa Ibom and commissioned 20 persons to take charge of each unit across the state waiting for the federal might celebrated by APC in Akwa Ibom. Apart from unit canvassers, Governor Udom Emmanuel has continued to woo Elders, youth groups, Labour leaders and entire people of Akwa Ibom pointing to his score card especially by providing 13 industries within three years on the saddle. Continuing, Governor Emmanuel said “there is a difference between project and monument. I came to do not building monuments” . Referring to the previous administration in the state, Governor Emmanuel said ” the same people that promised you industries in all the 31 council areas without giving you any throughout their tenure as governor, now they are back again with mouth watering offer. We are not liars and wicked but to serve the people. Be that as it may, the media campaign of the major political parties takes different dimensions. While the Peoples Democratic Party dominates the state owned media, the All Progressive Congress (APC) resort to social media platforms and few private radio stations to project their candidates. Despite publicity by the parties involved, wounds arising from the party primaries of APC may be another affect the voting pattern except last minutes entreaties to assuage flayed tempers. With court cases pending and the long wait for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to release final list of candidates for House Assembly in next month general election. Sources told our correspondent that aggrieved members were waiting to see the outcome based on the agreement that the original members would be given their slot Therefore, as the battle for Akwa Ibom Government House intensifies with political parties scheming to take over, many believed that in a couple of weeks ahead the Hilltop mansion would be occupied for another years.