*Says Ekere well prepared to implement blueprint for new Akwa Ibom
*Condemns Gov Udom invasion of AKHA with thugs
By Augustine Akpan
Akwa Ibom State Caucus Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Atuekong Don Etiebet has expressed joy over what he described as the imminent victory of his party in the upcoming 2019 polls.
Speaking with journalists in his Uyo residence, the former Petroleum Minister expressed fulfilment that his decision to partner Obong Obong Umana Okon Umana and Obong Ekere to build a united and stronger APC that can take over the state in 2019 has finally paid off.
Going down memory lane, Atuekong Etiebet said, after the Supreme Court had graciously declared Mr Udom Emmanuel as Governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2015, he was left with no option than convening a meeting with the duo to plan for the future.
Reflecting on the tortuous journey to the 2019 elections, the Akwa Ibom APC caucus Chair said he was happy that despite the initial challenges the party faced due to a few individual differences, the APC has come out stronger and ready to take over the reins of power in the state come 2019.
He said the decision of key stakeholders of the party (mostly those that the just concluded party primaries) to bury their individual differences and work for the sucess of the party has created serious panic in the camp of the opposition in the state. The development he said explains the gale of defections hitting the party almost on a daily basis.
Etiebet who also saluted the choice of Obong Nsima Ekere as the APC standard bearer expressed optimism that ONE would set the necessary machineries in motion to drive his vision for a new united and prosperous Akwa Ibom once he assumes office in 2019.
He said with the support of every Akwa Ibomite, Nsima Ekere would successfully implement his manifesto to the letters.
He added that once that is done, Akwa Ibom people would be busy as everyone would be gainfully employed and therefore called on Akwa Ibom people to take their destinies in their own hands by voting for Nsima Ekere.
Shifting attention to National politics, Atuekong Etiebet poured encomiums on President Muhammadu Buhari for taking particular interest in the development of the Niger Delta region as well as appointing well-meaning sons and daughters of the region, especially Akwa Ibom State into positions of authority.
Making reference to the fact that Akwa Ibom State gave him less than 60000 votes during the 2015 elections but yet benefitted greatly, Atuekong Etiebet tasked Akwa Ibomites to wonder what benefits awaits the state once they successfully reelect President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.
He urged the people of the state to ensure that they vote en mass for the APC in the upcoming general elections.
Reacting to the crisis rocking the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, the former Petroleum Minister said "it is unfortunate that Governor Udom Emmanuel, who is expected to be the chief security officer of the state could hire thugs to invade the house of Assembly to meddle in the affairs of the legislature".
Etiebet who described the governor's action as "despicable and unwarranted", condemned the action in strong terms.
He equally faulted Onofiok Luke whom he said probably out of the prompting of the Governor threw caution and common sense to declare seats of his fellow law makers vacant despite subsisting court injunctions.
Atuekong Etiebet who described the action as the height of hooliganism, said he was so disappointed with the desperation exhibited by both Mr Onofiok Luke and Governor Udom Emmanuel.
He queried why the Speaker never declared the seat of Hon Asuqwo Archibong vacant when he defected from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party.
Speaking further Atuekong Etiebet said he was not surprised that Governor Udom was goofing on all fronts simply because he lacks good advisers.
He said the Governor's lack of sound advisers was the reason he has been deserted by virtually all stakeholders of the Akwa Ibom project.
He said that almost every key decision makers in the state had since abandoned him because of his abysmal performance.
Atuekong Etiebet however posed that if the legendary Obong Attah has described Governor Udom Emmanuel led administration as a mystery, that it was difficult to say otherwise since the former Governor is widely reputed as a man of honour not given to flipancy.
Comments
Post a Comment