Umana mocks Udom’s running mate * Says you are old as our grandpapa, Akwa Ibom people doesn’t want you

 

* No he is a seasoned administrator, says Aniekan Umanah  

BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

The Akwa Ibom State  governorship standard   bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming general elections, Obong Umana Umana has said Mr. Moses Ekpo, the running mate to Udom Emmanuel, PDP standard bearer is as old as a grandfather.

Umana stated this on Tuesday during the APC presidential campaign rally for Major-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), the party’s presidential candidate at Uyo township stadium.

Umana Umana who was making his vote of thanks after receiving the party’s flag as well as presenting his running mate, Engr. Ben Ukpong to the party faithful thanked the All Progressives Congress APC for giving him the opportunity to lead the process of bringing real change to Akwa Ibom State.

According to him “to be running the affairs of the state, we do not have to go for a  grandfather to be our Deputy Governor, because the work to change Akwa Ibom is going to be very enormous, it is time for change in Akwa Ibom State. We have had enough of uncommon propaganda, as a former Finance Commissioner and Secretary to the State Government; I know how much that has been coming in to this state. PDP has failed Akwa Ibom people. It is time for the real change. “

Speaking further, Obong Umana Unana maintained that with the support and votes of all Akwa Ibom people, he will bring total change as well as ensure that he impacts positively in the lives of the people.
In his words “we have two parties today in Akwa Ibom State. We have the Peoples Democratic Party which is the AKPABIO’S PEOPLE PARTY and we have All Progressives Congress which is the party for Akwa Ibom People, so the choice is yours.” he noted.

The former SSG promised that if elected as governor, he will create jobs opportunities, give qualitative education to Akwa Ibom children as well as good infrastructural development across the state.
Earlier in his speech, the Akwa Ibom State APC state chairman, Dr. Amadu Attai said that last month, the party had officially received then PDP members into the party fold which had served PDP a quit notice after her sixteen years in power which has failed to bring meaningful development to the people of Akwa Ibom, adding that with the exercise and subsequent nomination of candidates for the governorship, senatorial, national and state constituencies in the state, Akwa Ibom people are set for change in the overall interest of the state.      

He noted that Akwa Ibom State has great potentials that will take the nation to greater heights outside the failing oil sector. According to him, one of such place is the Ibaka seaport which is of great attraction to the maritime industry of the nation and Akwa Ibom State in particular. The Ibeno beach provides the much needed Eco-tourism site for the nation realigning the coastline of Akwa Ibom State with the abundance of shrimps for exports which value is greater than oil and gas.

 Dr. Attai promised that the APC governorship candidate Obong Umana Umana when he  enters office will work to ensure that the labours  of all the past Akwa Ibom heroes are not in vain, adding that the party is determined to win at all levels during the forthcoming election.

Also speaking, the National Chairman of All progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun called on all Akwa Ibom people to rally around all the APC candidates at all levels to ensure that the party sweeps all positions during the elections. He charged all the party faithful to go back to their different wards to work and mobilize people as well as stand to protect their votes during the election.

The presidential candidate of the party, Major-Gen Muhammadu Buhari pleaded for Akwa Ibom State to see the need to vote PDP out of government come February and ensure that APC takes over as he will bring change to the state and the nation in general.

Reacting to the allegations from UOU that Udom’s running mate is an old man who will have nothing to offer, Government spokesman and commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah in a text message to THE INK reporter last afternoon said, “the PDP running mate, Mr. Moses Ekpo is an embodiment of knowledge, proven professional competence and possesses impeccable track records in Public and Diplomatic services. His wealth of experience will add the needed fillip to the growth and stability of the incoming Government.”