Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is committed to the enhancement of democracy in the country in accordance with the fundamental principles of the rule of law.
Governor Emmanuel stated this at the Ibom International Airport on arrival from Abuja where he attended the PDP Stakeholders meeting.
He said democracy would be jeopardised in the seeming one party structure which the country is pursuing and in the circumstance the system would stifle the voice of the opposition thereby paving way for despotism which he said was not in the best interest of the country.
“As a country we are assisting other countries to institute democracy, how come We are destroying our own?. We should not allow the country to be run like this else democracy will collapse. “
Mr Emmanuel who recalled an incidence which took place during last year’s National Convention of the Party at Rivers State, condemned in it entirety the obstruction of the stakeholdets meeting following the sealing of International Conference Centre venue of the meeting by security agents explaining that they had to relocate to alternative venue for the meeting.
“The sealing, yesterday, of International Conference Centre, venue of the meeting by the Police was a sad comentary on democracy. Twice we ‘ve experienced this. The other time we had to hold the Convention at the zonal Secretariat of the party because the Port Harcourt stadium was baricaded by the Police. A similar incident played out yesterday at the International Conference Centre, Abuja where the Stakeholders meeting was slated to hold and we resorted to meet at the Conference room of the Chairman of PDP Governor’s Forum.”
“ A country of more than one hundred and seventy people is too large for one party structure. Let’s make room for other parties to operate because a multy party system will ensure the survival of democratic governance in the country”
The Governor posited that the electorates are of high expectations from the government in view of the economic challenges adding that in the unfolding context party partisanship should not be allowed to becloud the responsibility of government to the people.
“We owe the country a lot and people expect much from the leaders not party partisanship that is being jostle left, right and center..... The electorates expect more democratic dividends than the name of any political party. So let’s look at the foundamentals in terms of our campaign promises and ensure it delivery taking into cognisance the variables that would provide succor in the face of the prevailing economic recession “ He stated.
Governor Emmanuel therefore called on the political class to look at the foundamentals and the promises made to the people during their political campaign and cushion the impact of economic recession rather than engaging in partisan politics.
On the resolve to seek justice from the supreme court by the Senator Markafi led group, the Governor described the development as the beauty of democracy saying that the Supreme Court is the final arbiter in the dispensation of justice.
The Governor was received at the Airport by Dean of Commissioners and Commissioner for Women Affairs / Social Welfare Dr Glory Edet, Dr Iniobong Essien of Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Commissioner for Youth And Sports Sir Monday Ebong Uko and other dignitaries.
No comments:
Post a Comment