BY JOSEPH OKON
Business and other activities in Akwa Ibom state last Tuesday was at a standstill as the people of the state abandoned their businesses and other engagements, and trooped out massively from the 31 Local Government Areas to Uyo township stadium to witness the formal declaration of intent by the immediate past Secretary to the state Government, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel to heed the plead by Akwa Ibom people and contest the 2015 governorship election in the state.
Business and other activities in Akwa Ibom state last Tuesday was at a standstill as the people of the state abandoned their businesses and other engagements, and trooped out massively from the 31 Local Government Areas to Uyo township stadium to witness the formal declaration of intent by the immediate past Secretary to the state Government, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel to heed the plead by Akwa Ibom people and contest the 2015 governorship election in the state.
The declaration witnessed a mammoth and unprecedented crowd of supporters who voluntarily trooped out in their thousands to witness their most preferred candidate for the top job of the state popularly called “Mr Right” as he delivered what can best be describe as the message of hope and a better future to Akwa Ibom people.
The crowd which could not be accommodated inside the stadium witnessed an overflow on the streets from Obio Imo to Oron road, Udo Umanah, and other adjourning streets which caused heavy traffic congestion in the state.
The event was attended by the wife of the state Governor, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, the speaker of the AkwaIbom State House of Assembly and his Deputy, Elder Sam Ikon and Udo Kerian with other members of the house, members of the National Assembly serving and former, former Ministers and heads of extra Ministerial Departments at National and in the state, all the 31 council chairmen in the state, serving and former Commissioners, Business men and women, stakeholders, and other eminent sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom state.
The chairman of the occasion who is a former Military Governor of the state and chairman South-South People’s Assembly, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga who was overwhelmed by the crowd of supporters described the former SSG, Mr Udom Emmanuel as an eagle that just landed and a product that cannot be dispute or refuse by anybody.
He called on the youths in the state to rise up and take responsibility knowing that their time has come for them to write their history, while the Elders will be there to advice.
On the qualification of Mr Udom Emmanuel to contest the 2015 governorship election, he said that Udom Emmanuel is eminently qualified since he comes from the right Senatorial District that should produce the next Governor which is Eket, and the party, PDP respect zoning. He added that anybody that does not respect the party zoning is not a true party member.
He said that Akwa Ibom state needs a man that know investors, and will be able to bring them to the state without collateral which Udom Emmanuel is capable, having been at the Zenith of industrialization, and assured Akwa Ibom people that before Udom finish as governor, Akwa Ibom will be like Dubai. He therefore charged the candidate to go and do better than any other governors that Nigeria ever had, and should always have humanity at heart.
In his declaration address, the immediate past SSG and gubernatorial hopeful in 2015, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel said he is humble by the past before the state, grateful for the trust the peoplehave collectively bestowed on him, mindful of the sacrifices of all the ancestors, and looking forward for a brighter tomorrow of Akwa Abasi Ibom state.
He further said that the last 7 years have witnessedwhat he described as unprecedented wave of infrastructural development in Akwa Ibom state under the leadership of the uncommon transformer, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio who has transformed Akwa Ibom from a pedestrian state to a destination of choice.
According to him, “we have seen massive development of road infrastructure linking various Local Government headquarters to the state capital. World class road infrastructure with 38 bridges has been delivered in the last 7 years.
Water supply, rural electrification projects, and improved living condition for all Akwa Ibom people have been pursued with vigour. The free and compulsory education has been heavily supported by educational infrastructures like the Ibom e-library, infrastructural development in the state polytechnic and Akwa Ibom state University.
The Ibaka deep seaport when completed will make Akwa Ibom an industrial hub of Africa”.
Quoting Prof Wole Soynka, he maintained that Akwa Ibom state under Governor Akpabio has attained a quantum league in infrastructural development, and promised Akwa Ibom people that the momentum of development must be sustain and improved upon.
Mr Emmanuel explained that all the infrastructures that will help the state in industrialization have been put in place, and Akwa Ibom is ready for the next phase of development which he intends to build on the foundation that has been laid by Governor Akpabio.
He said that his vision is encapsulated in his burning passion to serve the people. “My vision is encapsulated in my burning passion to serve my people, to further transform Akwa Ibom and uplift the leaving standard of the entire state”.
He presented his 11 point administration agenda which includes;
1. To build on the uncommon transformation of the present administration.
2. To transform the economy of AkwaIbom state through industrialization and sustainable public private sector initiative, and open up many opportunities and improved living standard among our people.
3. I will respect and uphold the tenets of democratic governance under which our great party, PDP stands for and respect the party structure.
4.To ensure the security of lives and property of people at all times with adherence to the principles of the rule of law, thereby ensuring equity, justice and fair play.
5. I will promote unity, oneness across the state with due respect to our traditional institution and the Elders of our society.
6.To continually develop, empower our women and youths with an improved welfare programme
7. I stand here and promise all Akwa Ibomites at home and in diaspora an economic advancement and promote the fundamental human right for us all.
“Going ahead, I stand here and pledge to pursue the task of rural development and integration with all vigour which will bring benefit and dividend of democratic governance to every nook and cranny of our state. I will provide basic amenities to all and sundry without any discrimination.
We will try to ensure accountability and transparency in government by fighting and tackling corruption in all facets of my administration.
We will promote trade, commerce, tourism in Nigeria and the world at large.
We will foster development, and maintain a good working relationship between the legislature and the judiciary, and all the arms of government as well as ensuring effective Local Government administration, grassroot development and empowerment for all.
We will try to attract more Federal presence to Akwa Ibom state by continually sustaining harmonious cordial relationship between the state and the centre.
As I stand today and declare, my declaration to serve Akwa Ibom state as the next Governor come 2015 is anchored on my seven point agenda.
I humbly present myself by the grace of God as a humble servant, dedicated to service; committed to uplifting Akwa Ibom into the committee of highly industrialized state. I’m passionate about all round development and transformation of this state.
I’m passionate about wealth creation for our people and economic development. Above all, I’m passionate about the wellbeing of our people. I hereby present myself as that force for achange that will galvanize Akwa Ibom irrespective of ethnic, tribe, religion, and political affiliation which our people will ride on to unprecedented economic destiny of development.
I humbly present my qualifications and testimonials of my capacity and preparedness for this assignment which I solicit your support.
I’m a chartered accountant by training, a banker by profession. I have over 35 years’ experience in the Nigerian corporate world spanning all sectors of development of economy, and rise to the apex of each of those sectors.
I’m a very detribalize Nigerian with friends and associates that have come in contact with me all over the world. This is an historic moment for Akwa Ibom that will mark the transition from a more distinguished administration to another epoch making that will consolidate and sustain the uncommon transformation of the present administration.
It is time to move Akwa Ibom forward and bring to pass the industrialization”.
Earlier in his remark, the International President of Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance, ACA, pastor Andrew Uwanta thanked the state Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio for releasing his former SSG, Mr Udom Emmanuel to answer the call by Akwa Ibom people and contest the 2015 governorship of the state which he said was difficult for the governor to allow him because he found the immediate past SSG very useful to the administration.
He noted that it is important for Akpabio who is a five star leader hands over to another five star leader in the person of Mr Udom Emmanuel, as AkwaIbom people cannot afford to go back to the dark days of maladministration, and assured the people that together in unity, Udom will succeed as the next governor of the state come 2015.
Other eminent sons and daughters of the state representing the three Senatorial Districts of the state including the wife of the state governor, Mrs Unoma Akpabio said that having listened to Udom Emmanuel as he presented his vision and mission to Akwa Ibom people, it has confirm that truly Udom is the best to succeed Governor Akpabio. They described him as a great son of Akwa Ibom whom they are very pleased with.
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