Thursday 5 March 2015

Tension heightens in Akwa Ibom - As Student leaders dump Udom for Umana

Tension heightens in Akwa Ibom
As March/April General elections gather momentum, there is a palpable tension in the state as Student leaders in tertiary institutions and other youths from the state have thrown their weight behind the gubernatorial ambition of the All Progressives Candidate (APC) Flag bearer, Mr. Umana Okon Umana.

They made their stance known over the weekend after an enlarged meeting held at Darty Hotel, Uyo where Students and youth leaders meet to appraise the current administration and also take decision on burning issues.

Addressing  journalists on behalf of the student  leaders, the former Financial Secretary of National Association of  Akwa Ibom  State Students (NAAKISS)  worldwide, Comrade Basil Etim offered insight  to the fact that  the student  leaders after  several meetings as regards who deserves their  support finally decided to throw their  weight  behind the governorship ambition  of Mr. Umana Okon Umana.

Pointing  out what  endears  the students  to support  Mr. Umana, he explained  that the N50,000  bursary  promised  by Umana has swept  the students off their feet, coupled with complementing the bursary with  a promise of scholarship  scheme  to  students  who performed  exceptionally  in their academics.


“It is known that our state receives billions of naira monthly and out of the 100% of students from the state who are in higher institution, 70% are self sponsored. But in over 8 years of PDP government, only twice have bursary been paid and students who were lucky to receive it received only N5,000.  How then can we continue with PDP? Thanks to Umana for promising to carry the students along. With N50, 000 bursary, the students will now have what to back them up and they will perform well academically,” Comrade Etim added.

He further charged the youths and students to guide against rigging and ensure their vote is protected during the election.
In another development, the Vice President  of the National  Youth Council  of Nigeria, Comrade  Ezekiel  Peters noted that although the body is non-partisan, the youth body have  decided to take a stand on the forthcoming elections and  the stand ,he said is the endorsement of Gen. Mohammadu  Buhari  as the next president  of  the country and Mr. Umana Okon Umana as the Governor.

He revealed that after a meeting in the 31 Local Government Areas of the State, 19 Local Government Areas have expressed their determination to ensure Umana Umana emerges victorious at the polls even as they described Umana as a symbol of change in the state.

Speaking in glowing terms about Umana Umana, Comrade Peters described him as a youth friendly leader who is poised to charge the fortune of Akwa Ibom youths. Stressing that it will be of regret if the citizenry allow PDP to have their way again in next Month general election.

Students leaders who thronged the event in their hundreds also used the occasion to advise their colleagues not allow money inducement blind their thoughts ,advising that the should take their destiny in their hand.

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