Akwa Ibom State governor Pastor Umo Eno has lauded the hitch-free conduct of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship and councillorship primaries despite the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest.
Therefore, with the conclusion of the exercise, according to the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak, the stage is set for the October 5 poll to be conducted for the elected chairmen to replace the interim leaders across the 31 LGAs and councilors for the 368 wards.
Addressing delegates and party supporters at the Nsit Ubium local government council secretariat, Ikot Edibon, after the party primaries in the area, the governor reiterated his appreciation for the understanding and good conscience exhibited by the people towards the government and the state in exercising restraint amid the nationwide protests.
He, therefore, restated his commitment to exploring ways of ensuring the welfare and security of the people, pledging to ensure that funds that would have been spent on repairing damaged facilities or treatment of injured persons if the situation of the supposed peaceful protest had gone violent as it happened in some states, would be channelled into programmes that will touch lives of the people.
The governor also commended the security agencies for pouring their hearts into serving the state and for being civil in their approach which, he maintained, has yielded the right results.
He said: “I want to thank God for what he is doing in Akwa Ibom State and I want to thank the entire people of Akwa Ibom. I’ve said so for the umpteenth time. I thank them for their understanding: our youths, our men, our women, market women, transporters, our elders, our students. Thank you for keeping our state peaceful. For me it’s a big encouragement.
“When something wants to happen and a leader steps forward and appeals to the people and the people show restraint, it means you have good followership. I know things are hard and I have a clear understanding, but I want to thank all of you.
“For not allowing the protest to take place, not to talk of destroying anything in this State, I thank you. Thank you for not allowing any blood of any person to drop because of protest. For me, I will continue to give the very best that God has given to me to the people. The money we would have used to rush people to the hospital or go to repair one thing or the other that would have been damaged, we want to put the money back to our youths.”
Applauding the reports of serenity across the 31 local government areas and 368 wards of the state in the course of the exercise, the governor reiterated that dialogue and engaging with the people respectfully have always yielded the best results and commended the different units of the party for the harmonious conduct of the party primary elections.
He particularly thanked the political leaders of Nsit Ubium for showing good leadership and for ensuring the emergence of credible and sellable candidates for the party , expressing optimism that the people of the area will be better for it as the candidates of the party emerge new leaders of the area after elections.
The political leader of Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Effiong Bob affirmed that the councillorship candidates selected earlier in the day and the chairmanship flag bearer of the PDP, were selected through elaborate consultations among relevant stakeholders and the people hence represent Nsit Ubium’s best.
The returning officer, Mr Nsikak Obo, announced the result of the chairmanship primaries for the Nsit Ubium chapter of the PDP. Mr Alfred Charles was declared the winner by the unanimous vote of all the accredited delegates at the election.
While accepting the nomination, Mr Alfred Charles thanked the governor, stakeholders, and members of the PDP for choosing him to fly the party flag, pledging to do his best to make the party and people of Nsit Ubium proud.