PDP flags off campaign rally in Uyo

 The ruling Peoples Democratic Party,  PDP, on January 16, 2015 officially flagged of her campaign for the 2015 General Elections.

At the event, which was attended by a mammoth crowd of party supporters from across the state, flags were also presented to 41 candidates of the Party including the Governorship candidate of the Party, Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, by the State Party Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo.

Those handed flags include the 27 Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Candidates, 10 Federal Constituency candidates and 3 senatorial candidates including Governor Godswill Akpabio, who will run for the senate seat of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.

Speaking at the occasion, the State PDP boss charged the Party’s standard bearers to go and campaign properly and ensure that they win the elections. Obong Ekpo maintained that, PDP has over the years provided efficient, progressive and developmental governance in Akwa Ibom State, especially under the transformational Government of Governor Akpabio, and is poised to sustain the work beyond 2015.

He commended the state governor for his giant strides so far, and assured the PDP governorship candidate, Mr Udom Emmanuel that the party will emerge victorious at all levels in the forthcoming election in the state.

 
Obong Ekpo said that Akwa Ibom state being a PDP state cannot afford to support opposition, and congratulated all candidates. He therefore charged the people to stick with the PDP and vote the party at all levels.

In his welcome address, the Director General of Udom Emmanuel Campaign Organization, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, assured the people that PDP remains the party which can guarantee sustainable development, charging them to keep faith with the party by voting for her candidates at all levels from the Presidency down the line, voting PDP into power come February. He pledged that the Party’s Governorship candidate, Deacon Emmanuel will exceed expectations in performance given his vast experience and capacity.

Governor Akpabio while counting the achievements of the PDP administration in the state and other sister states in Nigeria, and by the President Goodluck Jonathan led Federal Government posited that, voting PDP to consolidate the transformational leadership put in place so far is the only way forward for the country in general and the State in particular. Governor Akpabio urged Akwa Ibom people who have trusted him for all of eight years to believe in Udom Emmanuel, who he said is the best among the pack to lead Akwa Ibom to the next level and phase of uncommon transformation.

Unveiling his manifesto which he said is a Five Agenda roadmap for massive industrialization of Akwa Ibom State, the PDP Governorship candidate, Deacon Emmanuel pledged to create the enabling environment to get youths into productivity that will transform boys to men who can thereafter make men out of other boys thus spreading the value of human empowerment and capacity building. 

He once again reiterated his invitation to the G-22 who contested the PDP Governorship primaries with hom to come home and join hands with hm to move the state forward harping that, the umbrella of the party remains large enough to accommodate all of them and there was no gain in rancour.
Deacon Emmanuel thanked all party leaders and stakeholders at all levels who have championed the Divine mandate of his Governorship bid, and prayed that their support will ultimately bring success to the State.  

The PDP Governorship Standard bearer thanked the Party leadership, the State Governor, PDP faithful and indeed all Akwa Ibom people for their overwhelming support and promised not to disappoint them. He declared his readiness and commitment to delivering on the high expectations of the people and pleaded with Akwa Ibom people to vote PDP again as there is no other option for sustainable development.

Other speakers and leaders who gave messages of solidarity and goodwill include, Senator Effiong Bob, Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien, Senator Anietie Okon, Honourable Minsiter of Lands and survey, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi, Senator Stella Omu(who led the Presidential delegation), Rt. Hon Nduese Essien, NDDC Managing Director, Barr. Bassey Dan Abia, Speaker Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Elder Sam Ikon, and former Deputy Governor,  Engr. Chris Ekpenyong. They all endorsed Udom Emmanuel and President Jonathan,and accordingly called on Akwa Ibom to shin every sentiment and stick with PDP.

The Udom Emmanuel Governorship bid received a boost from the Akwa Ibom Entertainers Forum who endorsed Udom and over 500 groups, youth and women organizations who thronged the Uyo Township Stadium to register their support. Prominent Nollywood artistes who also made it to the event include star actress Ini Edo, Producer Nse Ikpe-Etim,  Moses Armstrong, Ime Bishop a.k.a Okon Lagos, Brandini, Ette Ntia, Aniekan Saforo, Fadabasi, Sir James, Pastor Goody Goody, MC Galaxy, among others while superstar singers, Godfather, Davido and Kaycee thrilled the crowd to electrifying performance.