Udom to APC: A’ Ibom is not for sale

Udom Emmanuel

BY KENNETH JUDE

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has said that the state is not for sale. The embattled Governor stated this during the New Year solemn assembly held in Ibom Hall last Saturday. Udom who spoke in categorical terms observed that some elements within the state are colluding with those he described as strangers to mortgage the state and its people. The Governor said that it was wrong and ill advised for those who have been prime beneficiaries of the same Government to rise up today to castigate the Government.

Reports have recently made the round that there is a pact between the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the April 11, 2015 governorship election, Obong Umana Okon Umana and some top APC egg heads in the country to take Akwa Ibom State by all means in a bid to achieve an end that the PDP have described as being at opposition with the values and ideals of the people of the state. While waxing philosophical during the solemn gathering last Saturday, Governor Emmanuel did not mince words on revealing the grand plot by some powerful politicians in collaboration with some Akwa Ibom citizens to wrest the state from the PDP.
The Governor may not have mentioned names but observers were quick to point fingers at the leader of the APC in the country, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and others as those bent on arm twisting the Supreme Court in order to have a favourable ruling for its party and candidate, Obong Umana Okon Umana.
The former Zenith Bank Executive Director reiterated his administration’s commitment to vigorously pursue his five point agenda which is centred on industrialisation. He explained further that his government is focused and committed to the welfare of the people especially the youths. He sued for peace and called on all well meaning sons and daughters of the state to sheathe their swords and work for the growth and progress of the state.
For those who have joined forces with ‘outsiders’ to trade off the state, the Awa Iman born financial expert noted that the people of the state will collectively reject any attempt by individuals or group or persons to divide the state. He added that the mandate freely given him on 11 April, 2015 is still intact hence there should be no cause for alarm. The Governor also used the solemn assembly to pray for the unity of the state while reiterating his commitment to sustaining the tempo of infrastructure and job creation for the teeming populace.
While Governor Udom Emmanuel promised not to talk on politics at the annual prayer meeting, he still had some advice and warning for his opponents and those bent on scuttling the divine mandate upon which he came to power. The Governor warned those bent on distracting his administration to desist from it and wean themselves of all forms of propaganda and join hands with him to build the state. He asserted that no amount of intimidation will distract him from delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
Udom assured the people of his determination to consolidate on the gains of the previous administrations and work for the uplift of the people in all ramifications. He prevailed on the people not to allow themselves to be reduced to the position of errand boys/girls by desperate politicians, adding that the days of servitude are over in Akwa Ibom State. He also told the people to disregard reports in some quarters that his Government is planning to discontinue the free and compulsory education policy introduced by the last administration. He added that his administration is not planning to scuttle the free and compulsory education policy but intends to continue and improve on the standard of education in the state.
Governor Udom Emmanuel is facing a battle to keep his mandate following the Appeal Court verdict that nullified his election. While the Governor has expressed confidence that ‘God is not a God of appeal but a Supreme God,’’ tension is sky high in the state as regards the judgment that will be delivered by the supreme court in the next couple of weeks. Though, Governor Udom Emmanuel and his supporters are confident of victory in the event of a rerun poll, there is an air of uncertainty that is hovering in the state with stakeholders of the PDP and APC flexing muscles over the political pendulum of the state.
Hope of victory for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Supreme Court was given life recently when the chief judge of the federation Justice Mahmud Abubakar decried the conflicting rulings by the appeal court in election litigations. This development may have raised the hopes of the ruling party in the state that it will have a favourable ruling at the Supreme Court. Though, it may not really be the case, but political analysts in the state say that the observation by the Chief Judge is timely and apt in the circumstance and may eventually swing favour the way of Governor Udom Emmanuel.