By Ekemini Simon:
As 2019 gubernatorial election draws nearer, the people of Ibesikpo Asutan local government area have insisted that their votes will go to no one except Governor Udom Emmanuel.
The people made their stance known on Tuesday when Divine Mandate, the Campaign Organization of Governor Udom Emmanuel berthed Ibesikpo Asutan.
In their remarks, the people of the area through their leaders noted that the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel has so far performed creditably hence given indication of great things to come if he is given a second term mandate.
The people stated that Ibesikpo Asutan has been blessed through the citing of key infrastructure in the area and appointment of Ibesikpo Asutan sons into sensitive offices in the Governor Emmanuel’s administration.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Ibesikpo Asutan local government area, Mr. Sylvester George, noted that he is confident of the governor’s victory in Ibesikpo Asutan owing to the fact that known stakeholders in the area coupled with the people are supportive of Governor Emmanuel’s second term.
While pointing out that the area has benefited significantly in Governor Emmanuel’s administration, he said that as a gesture to reciprocate the Governor’s deeds, the people were poised on standing by him.
A PDP woman leader Mrs Ime Orok in her remark offered insight to the fact that the women of the area had long started campaigning for the governor’s reelection and were confidence of victory owing to the Governor’s acceptability.
The Woman leader thanked the Governor for reactivating the Cassava Processing Plant in Ibesikpo Asutan added with a 16 storey building which will house businesses of repute.
She insisted that owing to what they have seen on ground coupled with the Governor’s personality and their hope of what is to come, the women will vote massively for Governor Emmanuel’s return at the polls.
In their respective remarks, the member representing Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Aniekan Uko and the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Linus Nkan noted that the people have no other gubernatorial candidate since Governor Emmanuel has shown excellence and credibility in his performance.
They thanked the governor for fulfilling his industrialization promise as well as bringing peace to the state against the era of politically motivated killings, kidnapping and child theft.
Earlier in his remark, the political leader of the area, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk, warned against plans by the opposition to rig the forthcoming elections. He urged those who may be commissioned to rig the polls in the area to steer clear of Ibesikpo Asutan as the people of the area are ready to resist any form of electoral malpractice.
Prince Etuk stressed that anything short of complete electoral materials which tallies with the number of voters taken to respective units will spell doom for the electoral officers who bring such as the people will see such an officer as enemy of the area.
He insisted that if there are plans to send out incomplete materials, it should be published on national dailies before the election as the people of the area will not give chances to any form of short-change.
The political leader called on the people not to wither in fear of federal might which he said the opposition has begun boasting about. He insisted that the might of the people will triumph.
On his part, the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East at the National Assembly, Senator Bassey Albert said he was convinced God will not give chance to the immediate past Governor of the State, Sen Godswill Akpabio to conspire with others to stop the second term success of Governor Emmanuel. He insisted that the performance of the Governor coupled with his character is enough to earn him a second term.
Referring to the APC campaign flag off on Monday, he said: “I watched the conspirators yesterday and they confessed that they are conspirators. There is no amount of conspiracy that will work in your life.
“Your Excellency, God loves you and the God of justice that stood with Obong Attah and Akpabio will stand by you. God will not allow Akpabio to succeed in a conspiracy against you. As long as he did eight years, you will also do eight years.”
Addressing the rally, the Director General of Divine Mandate campaign organisation, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga noted that since Ibesikpo Asutan is part of Uyo senatorial district, he is confident that they will stand firm on their earlier second term endorsement of Governor Emmanuel.
He paid tribute to past and present leaders of the State who are of Ibesikpo Asutan origin including Eyo Uyo, Obong Victor Attah, and Air Marshall Nsikak Eduok.
He called on the people to vote massively for Governor Udom Emmanuel among other PDP Candidates for a greater State and country.
In his address, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Udom Emmanuel expressed delight over the acknowledgment of his performance. He promised that when he re-emerges the Governor, the people will enjoy improved dividends of good governance since he will be better placed with experience.
The Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate called on the people not to mortgage their birth right for anything.
He mentioned that a man who fought his predecessor and is doing same to his successor raises serious concern. He said “Anything you want in modern Nigeria, you’ll find in Ibesikpo Asutan. Ibesikpo Asutan be careful so no one derails you. There are people who came with their ministry but I came to pray here today against the spirit of Esau. There was once a Governor who fought against his predecessor from Ibesikpo Asutan, a man who made him commissioner for six years for no just cause. If someone fights his predecessor and successor, he has a problem.”
Governor Emmanuel noted that he is sympathetic to the APC gubernatorial candidate, Obong Nsima Ekere since according to him, he is being misled to part way with the resources at his disposal the same way Umana Okon Umana was deceived in the build up towards 2015 gubernatorial election.
While calling on the people to reject the spirit of Esau, Governor Emmanuel urged the people to be wise and support those who have their interest at heart in order to engender peace and rapid development in the state.
The event witnessed the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the State, Obong Paul Ekpo, receive APC defectors into the PDP. The defectors, led by Chief E. O. Etim and Aniema Brown said they brought the All progressives Congress to the area and currently the APC has lost its footing in Ibesikpo Asutan.
