EKET STAKEHOLDERS RESTATE SUPPORT FOR GOV EMMANUEL ...CONDEMN REPLACEMENT OF NDDC MD WITH RIVERS INDIGENE

Elders from Eket Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State have restated their resolve to remain in unequivocal support of Governor Udom Emmanuel for eight uninterrupted years, irrespective of the outcome of the ongoing litigation in the Supreme Court. Prominent leaders from the Governor’s home federal constituency, led by Chief Nduese Essien , Elder Benji Udobia, Ntisong Essien Ekidem, Chief Sunny Udonsek, among others in a solidarity visit to the Governor at government house, expressed dismay over the nullification of the governorship election by the federal court of appeal In Abuja last weekend. 

 In a speech delivered by General Anthony Etukudo (OON), the Elders said that they where not disenchanted by whatever decision by the court, as they are constantly in readiness to deliver 100 percent support in defence of the mandate on Governor Emmanuel. “What we demand is a free, fair and credible election because we know that if election is held hundred times in this state, PDP will win 100 times.” 

The Eket elders also argued that they were prepared to ensure that justice prevails in the state, maintaining that, since it was the turn of Eket senatorial district to pilot the affairs of the state, “we are not going to fold our hands and allow our political mandate to be robbed.” They expressed dismay over the replacement of the Managing Director of NDDC, Barr. Bassey Dan Abia with a Rivers state indigene, saying it smacked injustice that the state was being denied its turn to be at the helms of affairs of the intervention agency. They commended the Governor by asserting that, “within the past six months you have brought into reality your election promises of solving unemployment problems with massive industrialization and youth empowerment.” 

They listed the ongoing industrial concerns, roads and urban remodelling projects including the refineries in Eket, the Ibom deep seaport and export free zone, the LED industry and vehicle assembling plant both in Itu, the reactivated Peacock Paints factory, and the metering company in Onna and the remodelled General Hospital in Anna- Uyo, as some of the numerous reasons the governor remains the best for the state. 

Responding, Governor Udom Emmanuel who was visibly elated by the solidarity visit by the major stakeholders in the four local government areas of Eket, Onna, Esit Eket and Ibeno, thanked them for their show of love and support. He said despite the pitfalls noticed in the Appeal court ruling, he was optimistic that the supreme Court will rise above board to restore the confidence of the people in the judiciary. He condemned the statement credited to the national chairman of the APC, Chief John Oyegun, that they have perfected strategy to capture Akwa Ibom and Rivers state, saying that it was unfortunate that people could stay elsewhere and dictate who should lead in other states. 

Governor Emmanuel who also wondered why the NDDC managing director should be replaced by an indigene of Rivers state, reasoned that since the state remained the highest producer of crude oil in Nigeria, it would be unfair if it is not allowed to complete its term in that capacity. “I believe the President is not well informed on the NDDC provisions and I will suggest to him that another indigene of the state be nominated to replace Barr Dan Abia or else it would take the country’s highest producer of crude oil, another 32 years to occupy such position.” “Akwa Ibom maintains the most peaceful atmosphere for operations by the oil companies despite the failure of these companies to reciprocate through corporate social responsibilities, so we believe that justice will be done in the next 48 hours by Mr. President,” he added. 

 In the entourage of the elders, were former national and state lawmakers, former state executive council members and senior entrepreneurs from the four local government areas.