In furtherance of his nationwide consultation for the 2023 presidential election, Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa-Ibom State visited Jos, the capital of Plateau State where he met with former governor, Senator Jonah Jang.
Former Benue State governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam introduced Udom at the meeting and described Jang as father of PDP in Plateau State and the only person who had been governor in three different states: Gongola, Plateau and Benue.
Udom explained why he started his foray into the north from Plateau State, stating that his campaign would flow seamlessly from there into the other parts of the North. He said there is a vacuum between the older generation and the present. Hence he felt challenged to offer himself for service.
He said he has the answer with the right policies and right people in place. He emphasized the need to link hindsight with hindsight and then foresight to solve the power problem and other problems militating against the country. Going back memory lane, he recounted how Jos was the place to be but insecurity has changed all of that. He said God is looking for someone to partner with. “I believe someone like me is ready for that partnership.”
Reeling out his achievements in Akwa Ibom, he said this is an indication he will perform more at the national level. He listed the foreign exchange use of coconut, which Akwa Ibom is working on to export and earn foreign exchange. “Akwa Ibom is producing and exporting syringes. Akwa Ibom runs the most efficient airline in Nigeria, which Nigeria as a country has not been able to do. And no nation can develop without a national carrier. As industries are packing up in other parts of the country, I can list at least 22 industries springing up in Akwa Ibom. The best flour is produced in Akwa Ibom,” he added.
Responding, Jang counsels the PDP to zone the presidency to the South. He said PDP’s headache would have been substantially reduced if that had been done. He congratulated Udom for taking the hold step to come forward. He hinted he too had offered himself for service as president in the past. But the situation has now even gotten worse. Despite that, he advised that we must uphold democracy. “I am a strong believer in democracy but, unfortunately, the wrong people kept coming into office.