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Tag: Emmanuel

  • ‘Emmanuel not planning to defect to APC’

    Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State will not defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Charles Udoh, has said.

    He said the stories trending on the social media that Emmanuel intends to dump the PDP for the APC was not true.

    Udoh, who was guest on a radio programme, said the governor was too principled to jump ship as many others did.

    He added that Emmanuel, as a trustworthy and credible man, cannot speak from both sides of his mouth.

    The commissioner stressed that Emmanuel will not allow political manoeuvres to taint his image which he spent years to build in the corporate world before his foray into public service.

    He said: “For a man who has worked to the position of a Chief Financial Officer in Zenith Bank, one of the high flying financial institutions in Nigeria, his integrity cannot be taken for granted.

    “He is trusted with money and enormous capacity. And, again, for Akwa Ibom State to be rated as the second best in Nigeria on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), then investors must have trusted the integrity of the governor before sinking huge foreign currency into their investments in the state.”

    On the freezing of Akwa Ibom State Government accounts that made news recently, Udoh said the  accounts were frozen on the orders of the EFCC without any prior notice or court summons. He said they were unfreezed, following the directives of the Vice Present. He added that the counter reaction on the issue by the EFCC was merely a face-saving ploy by the commission.

    On the Ibom Deep Sea Port (IDSP), Udoh said work on the project is on the final stage on paper and that work on the super-highway leading to the seaport is ongoing, while tender for bid has already been made public for legitimate and qualified bidders.

  • Saraki visits Gov. Emmanuel

    Senate President Bukola Saraki on Friday paid a solidarity visit to Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom and commended him for his selfless leadership in  the state, a move seen as spiting former minority leader of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, now opposed to Saraki.

    Emmanuel’s godfather  and former governor Akpabio defected on 8 August to the All Progressives Congress, dumping the Peoples Democratic Party. The defection ceremony at Ikot Ekpene  Township Stadium attracted huge crowd and APC big guns.  Akpabio also resigned his role as PDP Minority Leader in the Senate.

    Saraki, who is now the national leader of the PDP and who recently also switched from APC to PDP,  said he was in the state to show solidarity to Emmanuel.

    He assured the governor that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representatives in the National Assembly would continue to support him to provide dividends of democracy to the people.

    “We have come here on a solidarity visit to show that we are strongly with you. We are with you because we know you are serving your people well.

    “We are with you, because since you have been the governor, you have shown your worth and capacity and more importantly, you have shown your leadership skills.

    “It is not easy to lead and rise above board and behave like a leader in spite of provocations; that is how leadership should be.

    “You have done a lot of good works here and I do not want you to be distracted.’’

    He charged the governor not to relent in his quest to provide good governance to Akwa Ibom people, stressing that the people would continue to support him.

    Saraki said Emmanuel had nothing to fear since the all the members of the House of Representatives, State Assembly, local government chairmen, councillors and stakeholders are supporting him.

    “The people of Akwa Ibom have spoken and they are saying they are behind you. I want that to encourage you to forge ahead and work hard and serve the people. Since your people are with you, fear nobody.

    “We, in Abuja, will continue to work and support you. I will come here to congratulate you when your people will give you  a second term to serve them. And when I come back, we will come and discuss politics.”

    Responding, Emmanuel urged the senate president to continue to work and protect Nigeria.

    He urged the senate president to continue to maintain his exemplary character and serve the Nigerian people as the number three citizen.

    He urged leaders not only to prepare the young ones for the future but prepare the future for them through good governance.

    “This is unprecedented that in time like this, you have come to show solidarity to Akwa Ibom people. We appreciate you and love you the way you protect the project Nigeria.”

    The governor used the opportunity to welcome Saraki back to PDP, adding that Akwa Ibom people are solidly behind the party.

    On the Saraki’s entourage were Senators Dino Malaye, Clifford Odia, representing Edo and Sen. Bassey Akpan, the only PDP senator representing Akwa Ibom  among others.

  • Emmanuel sacks two commissioners

    Ahead of the defection  of Senator Godswill Akpabio from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress,  Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has sacked two commissioners loyal to Akpabio.

    The commissioners were sacked with for what their “act of disloyalty”.

    They are Commissioners for Labour, Productivity and Manpower Development, Mr Ibanga Akpabio, and Culture and Tourism, Mr Victor Antai.

    Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr Charles Udoh said the commissioners had to be removed  for their disloyalty to the governor.

    Ibanga, a younger brother to Senator Akpabio was sacked with Antai for receiving Akpabio, a former governor of the state and Emmanuel’s predecessor, at the Ibom International Airport on Tuesday.

    Udoh said the commissioners were also removed because of their “reluctance to comply with good governance processes.’’

  • Church leaders working against Christian candidates – Emmanuel

    Church leaders are the biggest impediments to the emergence of elected Christian office holders, Secretary of Christian Elders Forum Pastor Bosun Emmanuel, has declared.

    She spoke at the 2nd annual National Conference of the Advocates for Right Leadership Association (ARLA) AKA Believers in Politics(BIP) in Sagamu, Ogun State.

    Delivering the keynote address with the theme Government upon His shoulder, Emmanuel said genuine Christians are not in the political arena because church leaders are working against their emergence.

    He explained politics would remain dirty until good Christians get in to redeem the situation.

    According to him: “Believers have been saddled with the responsibility of political and spiritual dominance of their sphere of influence.

    “But achieving this may prove difficult because of the self-centeredness of most church leaders who rather than work together will present individual agendas.”

    Christians, he stated, need political leaders who can rally them to common fronts in the onerous task of rescuing the national from political and economic woes.

    This, he said, will not happen unfortunately until Christian leaders come together and speak with one voice on the political evolution of the nation.

    He tasked them to work toward preparing Christian candidates for the 2019 general elections.

    Emmanuel argued Christians, by teaching and training, are highly positioned to lead the nation out of the woods, warning of the dire consequences of leaving politics for unbelievers.

    Convener of the conference, Evangelist Kolade Segun-Okeowo, said it was high time Christians were involved in the nation’s political space.

    The Ogun House of Representatives hopeful warned the nation would continue to have rulers instead of leaders should Christians remain averse to political engagements.

    Segun- Okeowo advised Christians to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) vote massively for believers with genuine credentials.

    Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ogun State chapter, Bishop Tunde Akin-Akinsanya, urged Christians to take their civic responsibility seriously as 2019 approaches.

  • Akwa Ibom 2019: Emmanuel’s quest for second term

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel will be endorsed for a second term at a rally organised by the people of Ikot-Ekpene Senatorial District next Monday. EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the significance of the gathering for his re-election bid.

    The people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Akwa Ibom State, will hold an endorsement rally for Governor Udom Emmanuel next Monday. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders will also explain why they are endorsing the governor for another term at the ceremony.

    The PDP is expected to make a decisive political statement on the state’s future political direction.

    One factor that makes next Monday’s gathering significant is that, until three years ago, the Ikot Ekpene zone was the political headquarters of the state, being the base of former Governor Godswill Akpabio, who is now the Senate Minority Leader. As the zone makes its own statement on the governorship election, it is believed that whatever pronouncement that is made would echo loudly across the length and breadth of the state.

    The proposed PDP zonal rally is trailing the governor’s endorsement by other interest groups.

    Remarkably, the pronouncements, which have been in support of Emmanuel started almost a year ago when the Ibibio nation came out with one voice to endorse him.

    Although it was orgnaised by the Ibibio nation, that event, however, drew the various interest groups from within and outside the state.

    “If all the Akwa Ibom people have come out to say that Mr Udom Emmanuel has their support for eight years, who is going to come and oppose that,” the Paramount Ruler of Ikot Abasi, Edidem Udo John Ntukubom, said on behalf of  paramount rulers of Ibibioland.

    “Since no one can oppose that, and God himself has ratified it, I hereby present you with two cows a male and female, to symbolise the prosperity his Government is bringing to Akwa Ibom State,” he added.

    That endorsement a year ago was significant. It was witnessed by Emmanuel’s colleagues from far and wide. Among those who defied party differences and came to salute the governor’s perceived achievements was the All Progressives Congress, APC governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha who apparently shocked APC supporters in Akwa Ibom with his presence.

    Okorocha’s presence at that rally shocked the APC in Akwa Ibom State, given the fact that the party which is in control of the Federal Government, but in opposition in Akwa Ibom had been trying to bounce to power in the state. The APC in Akwa Ibom was at that time seriously enmeshed in division. There was crisis between those who recently joined the party led by the pair of former Secretary to the Government, Umana Umana, former Deputy Governor Nsima Ekere and supporters of the 2011 governorship candidate, Senator James Akpan Udoedehe.

    Speaking at that rally Okorocha who said he came to strengthen the bonds between the South-South and Southeast geopolitical zones said: “Governor Udom is not a Governor of a section of the state, he is not a Governor of APC or PDP, Governor Udom is the Governor of Akwa Ibom, therefore we must learn when to drop politics and when to embrace governance.”

    That rally was witnessed by political leaders, including House of Assembly members and the immediate past governor, Senator Akpabio, who spoke glowingly of the governor.

    While acknowledging the support of various interest groups in the state, Akpabio said: “That means that Akwa Ibom people did not make mistake in 2015 when we rose as one to elect Udom Gabriel as our Governor, Your Excellency in a period like this God must produce a leader, in a period of recession you have done exceedingly well… your training to work and manage people and resource that training has paid off in Akwa Ibom in the last two years.”

    It is significant that the governor has also been of endorsed various market groups, with traders repeatedly pledging their determination to deliver bloc votes for the governor.

    A section of the youth population in the state christened the Abak 5 in March 2018 endorsed the governor for a second term at a well attended rally held at Abak Township Stadium, Abak. The rally was organised by youths from the five Local Government Areas from the former Old Abak Division.

    However, what would count as one of the most emotive approvals for the governor was the one that came from the Christian community in the state endorsed the governor for a second term upon what it claimed was his sterling performance in office. The endorsement by the Christian community came during a March two-day conference with the theme “One body, one voice”.

    Among the church leaders who were at the occasion organise by the Akwa Ibom Christian Assembly were Dr Uma Ukpai, Prelate Emeritus Sunday Mbang, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Akwa Ibom chapter, Reverend Ndueso Ekwere, Rev Ntia Ntia, Archbishop Emma Isong and Apostle Zilley Aggrey.

  • Gov. Emmanuel: In the eye of history

    Nothing more pathetically projects to the world that the Udom Emmanuel administration is a distressing footnote to Akwa Ibom history than the entire episode of the friendly football match between Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles and the Spanish top club, Atletico de Madrid, which took place on 22 May at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

    The journey of the two football teams through the state traced the modern history of physical development of Akwa Ibom State. Right from the time the Super Eagles and Atletico Madrid players touched down on the soil of Akwa Ibom International Airport till they were done with their assignment in the state, what was on visual display was the physical history of modern Akwa Ibom State. Interestingly, the signature of Udom Emmanuel, the current governor of the state, was scandalously missing in all the chapters of that history.

    The footballers and their handlers feathered into a modern airport started by former Governor Obong (Arc.) Victor Attah and completed by his successor, Senator Godswill Akpabio. From the airport the footballers rode on a double-lane express way, again built in parts by Attah and Akpabio, to the 5-star Ibom Hotel and Golf Resorts, another monument to Akwa Ibom hard infrastructure development, built by Attah.

    At the hotel, the visitors rested and soaked in the refreshing ambience of the 250-room facility, nestled on the banks of Nwniba-Ifiayong River, 10 kilometers south of Uyo town, while those among them who are aficionados of the elite sport, indulged in a bit of golfing on Nigeria’s best golf course.

    On match day, 22 May, the players and their officials were bused to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium for the friendly match. In the VIP section, Governor Udom Emmanuel was already seated, grinning sheepishly from ear to ear, with no tinge of embarrassment that in all this celebration of Nigeria’s most popular sport, his signature was not there in any of the iconic infrastructure in the state used in the feast. Udom’s sole contribution was that of a cheer leader from the stands.

    Udom Emmanuel missed it. He would have been part of the mosaic of the modern infrastructure on display in the state in the course of the football friendly if he had thought of governance as a serious business and directed his energy into the construction of the international terminal building of the Ibom Airport, whose contract had been awarded by his predecessor. If he had done that, the visitors would inevitably have used that facility and Udom’s name would have been part of the story of that football fiesta. But he didn’t. Udom’s preoccupation is not about that which endures and is historic. He is concerned with the zany and fleeting flow of razzmatazz such as the dakada drivel, the whimsical tomato gardening by Ibom Airport and the utopian coconut refinery humbug.

    The story of Udom Emmanuel’s place in the physical history of Akwa Ibom State with reference to the Super Eagles friendly match is in all respects representative of the man’s place in the overall history of the state. His administration is a pathetic footnote to the history of my beloved state.

    A footnote is a margin to the main thing, an afterthought—explanatory note to address a query. That is what the Udom Emmanuel administration is. Historians would use it to explain what went wrong from 2015 to 2018 in my state. His government would be that note on the margin to help people handle questions such as how an enlightened people miss out on progress for four long years within a surfeit of resources necessary to achieve success.

    The explanation would not be for lack of material resources; it would be because the people ended up with such a dumb government that was determined to fail in spite of everything.

    Yes, determined to fail in spite of everything! The environment in which Attah and Akpabio operated and made their marks is virtually the same under Udom Emmanuel—except his mediocrity. I think I need to rephrase the point about the operating environment for proper evaluation of and due credit to the dramatic personae in this story.

    Attah had much less to work with—the story is well known. But what he lacked in physical resources he more than made up for it in superabundant imagination and creativity. And that made the difference. He left behind a legacy of a power plant, a 5-star hotel, an airport project, a state university project, roads. Akpabio’s legacy is equally well known: a stadium that has become the best advertiser for the Akwa Ibom brand; the completion of the state airport; a specialist hospital; an e-library; a hotel in Ikot Ekpene; completion of a state university; many, many roads and bridges.

    Agreed some of Akpabio’s signature projects have attracted criticisms as to their usefulness and functionality. Such criticisms are pointing to questions that a succeeding government ought to address. Udom Emmanuel has not averted his mind to the issues of perfecting disarticulated development or completing projects inherited from his predecessor. Yet Mr Emmanuel had campaigned on the platform of continuity.

    The fact is that whether a politician running for public office promises it or not, continuity is the socio-political glue needed to bind all transitions between governments because it almost always takes more than one government to build the mass of critical assets required to turn the tanker in the development process.

    Besides the campaign promise of continuity which binds Udom Emmanuel to making sure that the steam of progress built up by the Akpabio administration did not dissipate, there is the inevitability compelling a look at the two governments through the same prism because they share similar attributes. From data released by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) for the first quarter of 2018, the Udom Emmanuel administration received nearly N17 billion per month in the first quarter of the year. The financial flow has been similarly strong in the last three years, save for the early part of this government when the nation was in the throes of recession.

    The monthly inflow from the federation accounts into the coffers of the Udom administration approximates the amount that accrued to the Akpabio administration also on monthly basis. Given internally generated revenue, Paris debt refunds, bailouts from the federal government and commercial loans, the Udom Emmanuel administration is virtually at par with the Akpabio administration in terms of financial fortune.

    Why then is the current administration in the state such a rank failure? Those who have attempted to address that query have bought up all manner of excuses. Some of them have blamed paucity of resources. But empirical data show that financial resources cannot be an excuse. The administration is well provided for. Others have talked about debts left behind by the immediate past administration that have hamstrung Udom’s government. But the truth is that there is no former government that has not left behind debts. Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State inherited the highest pile of debts by any state government in the federation, yet his government is powering away with game-changing projects and programmes for the people of Lagos State. He has brought leadership to bear on the debt challenge. Ambode is an accountant like Udom.

    So where are Udom’s skills in financial management? Udom came to Akwa Ibom deafeningly touted as a financial wizard with international boardroom experience and global business school training under his belt. Why has he not deployed this skills set to the benefit of his state?

    The reason is that Udom was criminally over-rated. He has not what he was credited with. He was not ready for the job; he was hauled into a position he was not prepared for, to serve as a stooge to the Akpabio family. His is a classic case of the Peter Principle. Above all else, Udom Emmanuel does not have the heart of a leader; he is not sincere, does not come clean with his people on the management of their resources.

    That is why at three years as governor of the richest oil state in Nigeria Udom has no monument to show for his time at the Hilltop Mansion, except his personal palace at Awa Iman.

     

    • Ntuk is former Special Adviser to the Government of Akwa Ibom State.

  • Akwa Ibom governorship: Uyo zone shuts out other aspirants for Emmanuel

    THE electorate in the 10 local government areas making up Uyo

    senatorial district have declared that they will only vote for Governor Udom Emmanuel in 2019.

    The district, which comprises Uyo, Ibesikpo Asutan, Uruan, Itu, Etinan, Nsit Ubium, Nsit Ibom, Ibiono Ibom, and Nsit Atai, is said to have the highest voting strength in the state.

    Thousands of supporters from the zone joined elders and leaders to adopt Emmanuel at the endorsement rally at the Uyo Township Stadium.

    They said it was fair  to support Emmanuel from Eket district to complete eight years as was the case with Uyo and Ikot Ekpene senatorial districts.

    In his speech, the political leader of Uyo senatorial district and former Military administrator, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga assured Emmanuel that the people would stand by him to actualise his second term ambition.

    Nkanga, who chaired the occasion, said: “If Uyo Senatorial district, through Obong Victor Attah served as governor for eight years, Chief Godswill Akpabio, from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district also served for eight years, it is fair and just that Governor Udom Emmanuel, from Eket Senatorial District, continue till 2023.

    “Students of Akwa Ibom political history will very readily attest to the fact that political direction in our clime is often the outcome of the understanding among stakeholders across the state.

    ” And needless to say that because of the insightful political antecedents as a senatorial district, our compatriots from other senatorial districts have learnt to align with the prepositions that we take in Uyo Senatorial district.

    “Therefore, it is natural that we have taken a lead in critically considering the second term aspiration of our dear Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel. As a people, we believe in fairness, and we put forward strong argument to support whatever position we take in the best interest of our state”

    State Chairman of PDP Obong Paul Ekpo said: “I want to stay here and assure my people that in the year that brought the governor in 2015 I did not in any way waiver and so come 2019 , it is going to be a repeat performance.

    “And my government has always been that of commitment, that of loyalty and that of success. I will not do otherwise. We concur with your endorsement. I will prepare a memo with the party letterhead and in that memo you will be the sole candidate for the PDP in Akwa Ibom State”

    Also aligning with other speakers from his senatorial district, Senator Effiong Bob said, “There is no substitution in politics of today, so we won’t substitute you in 2019 election because it’s two terms for each governor”

    Senate Minority Leader Godswill Akpabio  thanked the people of Uyo for their support.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Emmanuel, Okorocha, Lagos Speaker, others advise parents, kids

    GOVERNORS Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom State), Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara State) and Rochas Okorocha Imo State have urged parents to take special interest in their children.

    The governors as well as Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa  advocated the need to instill the right values to enable the children become upright citizens and contribute to the socio-political development of states and the country.

     

    Nigeria’s future depends on investments in children, says Emmanuel

     

    The Akwa Ibom governor, in a statement to celebrate the Children’s Day, issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, said the future of Nigeria and how far it can compete with the rest of the world, depend on investments on the children.

    He said: “We are living in an increasingly shrinking globalised world, where technology has reduced the vast expanse of lands and oceans into a tiny community.

    “Nations across the continents are spending huge resources to prepare their children to compete in the market place of ideas. We must not relent in ensuring that our children are not left behind. That is why we are spending huge resources in education, recruiting the best teachers and providing the right tools and atmosphere for our children to learn.”

     

    Run away from crimes, Lagos Speaker advises children

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has advised children to avoid cultism and other crimes that can work against their progress in life.

    Obasa also advised children to be good ambassadors of not only their families and communities but also the country at large.

    The Speaker’s message was contained in a statement yesterday greeting Nigerian children on this year’s Children Day celebration.

    The statement was issued by his Chief Press Secretary Musbau Rasak.

    Obasa assured Nigerian children that the All Progressives Congress  (APC) at all levels will continue to protect their interest by putting in place programmes and policies that will enhance their welfare and improve their standard of living.

     

    Future generation ‘ll do

    better, says Okorocha

     

    Okorocha yesterday expressed optimism that “the future generation will do better than the current generation”.

    The governor stressed that “when the time comes, Imo State won’t be found wanting”.

    Okorocha spoke while addressing thousands of children who worshipped with him at the Victory Chapel Government House  as part of the activities to mark the 2018 Children’s Day.

    He prayed that the stories of drug addiction, including smoking Indian hemp and drinking of tramadol “shall not come near them”.

    The governor admonished the parents that “the best way to bring up a child is to be the child’s friend”.

     

    Ahmed: spend more time with your children

     

    Ahmed urged parents to spend more time with their children and wards to enthrone a better society and an assured future for the children.

    In a message to commemorate this year’s Children’s Day, Ahmed said the celebration must remind leaders on the need to prioritise the welfare of  every child and the need for parents to spend more valuable time with children.

    According to him, “no nation can grow beyond the quality of its children who are potential leaders and experts in various fields of human endeavours”.

     

    Wike’s wife counsels Rivers’ children on education

     

    Rivers State Governor’s wife Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike called on Rivers Children to take  their education seriously.

    Addressing the children during the 2018  Children’s Day Celebration at Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt yesterday, Justice Nyesom-Wike told the children that education is key to their progress in the society.

    The governor’s wife prayed for God’s blessing on Rivers Children as they make progress in life.

     

     

  • Emmanuel inaugurates road

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has inaugurated the 1.2 kilometre road to Radio Nigeria Atlantic 104.5 FM station, Uyo to mark his third year in office.

    He said the ceremony marked the inauguration of 28 intervention roads built by his administration.

    The governor said the 1.2 kilometre road was built because of its importance to the media industry and the people in the area.

    He noted that sometime in the past, it took him a long time to get to the station for a live programme.

    “When I finished the programme, I told the general manager then that I am not going to come back to the station until the road is built.

    “I think this is my second time of coming to this station and I am coming to inaugurate the road. Permit me to say here that this road will also come with some beautification.

    “The contractors have been directed to plant some fruit trees along this road.

    “This is to ensure that when you are driving into this arena, you will experience an ambience that gives good sense of relaxation.

    “We have 28 such grassroots intervention roads in the state and I will not be able to go round them today, but let me use this as the last point,” Emmanuel said.

    He said his focus on internal and rural roads was to address socio-economic challenges at the grassroots.

    The governor said he would continue to plan and implement strategies aimed at building a strong economy.

    “We have a blueprint for the development of the state and aggregating efforts towards that.

    “So, we should have no excuse not to deliver in the midst of challenges and constraints. We should be able to do the much we can do,” he said.

    Emmanuel said the state was blessed with many natural resources, adding that it will amount to injustice, if the resources were not exploited for their good.

    The General Manager, Mr. Barikumo Adou, hailed the governor for constructing good roads and called for the completion of projects.

  • Akwa Ibom PDP gives automatic ticket to Emmanuel

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State may have shut out other intended aspirants in the party from contesting the 2019 governorship election.

    The development followed the automatic ticket by the party to Governor Udom Emmanuel.

    State publicity secretary of the party, Comrade Iniobong Ememobong, disclosed this at the weekend while fielding questions from members of the Correspondents’ Chapel, NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council.

    “Apart from the governor, whom we have already given automatic ticket, every aspirant from the House of Assembly to the National Assembly must follow the due process,” the party’s spokesman said.

    Ememobong also debunked the allegation that the State PDP Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo, was bribed with N2 million to endorse former Commissioner for Information Aniekan Umanah for the Abak Federal Constituency seat at a public forum in Abak.

    Angry youths under the aegis of the Abak Federal Constituency Assembly (AFCA), led by Comrade Emayak Williams, worried by the allegation had impressed it on the party Chairman “to clear his name of the allegation”, pointing out that “so far, we have about five persons who have indicated interest for the post including Umanah”.

    But the party scribe dismissed the allegation, explaining that “Aniekan Umanah was the Chairman of the Planning Committee of the event held at Abak to honour the governor and the wife”, explaining that Ekop only lifted his hand after organising a successful ceremony”.

    Emmanuel, he stressed, remains the only person with automatic ticket to again fly the party’s flag in 2019, adding that the party arrived at such decision in view of the governor’s achievements in the last three years.

    According to him,  Emmanuel has acquitted himself creditably well with the mandate entrusted in his care since 2015, noting that he has substantially delivered on the five-point agenda of his administration.

    He added that the foundation of industrialisation laid by the administration would ensure the largely civil service state becomes an industrialised economy soon.

    Besides, Ememobong explained that under the current administration, more jobs have been created for the youths through agricultural interventions, interest-free loans for market unions, free basic education for the young ones, scholarships for higher education students and N600million earmarks every year as WAEC fees for final year secondary schools’ pupils.

     

    He warned against unfounded rumour that has the capacity to overheat the polity ahead of the polls.