Redeemed Youth Initiative (RYI), an affiliate group in Bishop Samuel Akpan Organization, has unequivocally, debunked the recent media reports in some quarters which purportedly portrayed mass defection of DYM members from Bishop Samuel Akpan’s camp.
The Organization which made the position known through its Chairman, Comrade Benjamin Uko, at an enlarged council meeting held recently, in Uyo, said contrary to a malicious report, there has been tremendous upsurge in the number of political actors and groups who daily come into Bishop Samuel Akpan’s camp for the purpose of ensuring the election of Bishop (Prof) Samuel Akpan as the next Governor of Akwa Ibom during the forth-coming gubernatorial election in the state.
Comrade Uko who lauded Bishop Samuel Akpan for his courage in seeking election on the platform of the Accord Party, AP, said such decision has resulted in the deepening of true democracy, judging from the number of candidates that have been given the chance to contest the forth-coming elections into the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate in Akwa Ibom.
Addressing RYI members who were drawn from the 31 local government chapters of Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa states, Comrade Uko said the essence of the enlarged council meeting was to re-affirm the commitment of the group in ensuring the election of Bishop Samuel Akpan as governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2015 and to, as a matter of urgency, debunk the purported exodus of over 500,000 members of Divine Youth Movement from Bishop Samuel Akpan Organization to Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance, ACA.
He disclosed that it was only the former President of DYM, Anthony Ekop, Mr. M.C. Akpan of Uyo 9 Foundation and three other officers of DYM who, out of selfish desire to obtain ill-gotten money decided to decamp to ACA in pursuit of their selfish interests, instead of remaining loyal to a just and sincere cause, pointing out that the entire members of DYM who are now in the Redeemed Youth Initiative (RYI) were intact and that members of RYI will continue to work relentlessly to ensure the election of Bishop Samuel Akpan and other candidates of the Accord Party, AP, during he general elections, adding, “Bishop Samuel Akpan’s governorship position is irreversible”.
The Chairman further disclosed that it was as a result of fraudulent practices and ineffective leadership style of the Former President of DYM, Anthony Ekop that members decided to disassociate themselves from the defunct DYM and established their identity in the Redeemed Youth Initiative.
His words: “Having noticed the fraudulent practices and ineffective leadership style of the former President of Divine Youth Movement, DYM, Anthony Ekop, we, the Stakeholders of DYM, therefore, disassociate ourselves from his leadership and have since established our identity in the Redeemed Youth Initiative (RYI) in total support of Bishop Samuel Akpan’s gubernatorial project in 2015", adding, “We were not surprise at the selfish action of Anthony Ekop, because he had always shown traits of Judas even when he led DYM and if you doubt what I’m saying, you cross check this fact from those who truly know him”.
Uko who expressed happiness over the upsurge in membership of the body, said the organization currently has over 1.5 million members spread across the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa and Edo states, adding that with the support of other affiliate bodies, couple with Akwa Ibom People’s Goodwill, the governorship election will turn out in Bishop Samuel Akpan’s favour.
While expressing appreciation to the people of Akwa Ibom for their unwavering support towards Bishop Samuel Akpan’s gubernatorial ambition, the Chairman maintained that, “the voice of God through the people’s ballot papers will vindicate our mission for a just and prosperous Akwa Ibom from 2015".
Comrade Uko who pledged his group’s total support to the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term, lauded the Accord Party, AP, for adopting President Jonathan as its sole Presidential candidate in the 2015 Presidential election.
On the chances of the Accord Party, AP, to win the forth-coming governorship and other elections in Akwa Ibom State, the Chairman pointed out that, “since the voting pattern in 2015 general elections will be based on the acceptability of the individual involved, not political party, and since Bishop Samuel Akpan has been widely accepted by Akwa Ibom people, we will definitely win alongside other candidates of the Accord Party, AP, in the state”.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Co-coordinator of Redeemed Youth Initiative, Mr. Innocent John, debunked the alleged defection of over 500,000 DYM members to ACA, stressing that, “even people who claim to be ACA members in the PDP are unrepentant supporters of Bishop Samuel Akpan and they are just waiting for the Election Day to show where their loyalty truly lies”.
He disclosed that the entire membership in the Rivers, Bayelsa and Edo states’ chapters of DYM, now called Redeemed Youth Initiative, RYI were strongly in support of Bishop (Prof) Samuel Akpan’s gubernatorial ambition.
The Co-coordinator who lauded Bishop Samuel Akpan for his courage in moving to the Accord Party, AP, said the people of Akwa Ibom were no longer interested in the name of a political party that lacks internal democracy, but the personality and political antecedence of candidates in the forth-coming general elections, expressing optimism that Bishop Samuel Akpan and other candidates in the Accord Party, AP, will sweep the polls during the gubernatorial and other elections in February, 2015.
Comrade John who described Bishop Akpan as a tested democrat and stabilizing factor in Akwa Ibom politics, assured the people of immeasurable prosperity during Akpan’s tenure as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State as stated in his blue print which has already been made public.
He affirmed that Akwa Ibom people will no longer support those he termed, “ready-made politicians” who do not understand the feeling and problems of the masses.
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