IN THE NEWS: ONNA PEOPLE VOW TO DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS, AS UDOM ENDS CAMPAIGN
By: Umoh-Obong Kingsley
……….Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was Tuesday agog and the Edidem Akpabio Ukpa Stadium, Ndon Eyo filled to its capacity by indigenes of the area who trooped out to reaffirm their supports for Governor Udom Emmanuel, as well as witness the grand finale of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial rally in the state.
The campaign trail, organized by the Divine Mandate Campaign Organisation for the second term of Mr. Udom Emmanuel, ended in Onna after traversing all the 31 local government areas of the State.
Speaking at the rally, the people vowed to do everything humanly possible to defend and vote to ensure that Udom Emmanuel, whom they said is their right which nobody can take away from them, returns to the Hilltop Mansion as Governor come 2nd March.
The Onna Council Chairman, Hon. Imo Attat, and Chapter Chairman, Hon. Ubong Adiakpan, in their goodwill messages, reassured the readiness of the 12 wards, 42 villages and 131 units in Onna to vote from bottom up and 100% votes for the Governor and all other PDP candidates.
According to them, Onna people are desirous and anxious to cast their votes massively in support of the PDP, adding that they have absolute trust in Governor Udom’s ability to continue till 2023.
Speaking on behalf of the National Assembly caucus, the Senator representing Uyo Senatorial District, Sen. Obong Bassey Albert (OBA), congratulated the Udom Emmanuel for his reelection as Governor of Akwa Ibom State, as they have held their wards, units and respective LGAs for him, Atiku Abubakar and every candidate of the party.
On his part, the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Barr Onofiok Luke, who spoke on behalf of the State Legislature, spoke of Mr. Udom Emmanuel to have performed creditably well as Governor, and pledged commitment to conduct a violence-free and peaceful polls even in the face of provocation.
He stressed that the fact that Akwa Ibomites are known to be peaceful people does not mean the peaceful disposition should be taken for granted, and charged the people to go out to the polling unit very early on day of elections to be accredited, vote and defend their votes without any fear of intimidation.
In his remarks, the Director General of Divine Mandate Campaign Organisation, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, described Udom Emmanuel as a pride to the State, Nigeria, Africa and the black race, who has laid a foundation, and sued for cooperation with the Governor in the next four years.
He said the Governor needs the support of the people to complete what he has started, adding that the peace he brought has attracted the international community to the State, urging the people not to repeat the same mistake they made in 2015 bringing a wrong administration at the center.
According to him, the only way that mistake can be corrected is through massive votes for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as president to restructure Nigeria, and Udom Emmanuel for Governor in order to be guaranteed of a great future.
Those who also delivered their goodwill messages at the rally include PDP National Legal Adviser, Hon Emmanuel Enoidem; Onna Chapter Youth Leader, Samuel Umoh Affia; woman leader, Akwa Obonganwan Patience Ukpa; and Elder Maurice Ukpong.
Responding, Governor Udom Emmanuel expressed gratitude to God, the unprecedented crowd and the entire Akwa Ibom people as well as the over 900 groups for working with the divine mandate team from the campaign flag-off to a successful tour to the 31 local government areas of the state.
Governor Emmanuel stated that PDP is the only party that has gone round the 2980 units, 329 wards, 31 LGAs, 10 federal constituencies, and three senatorial districts of the state, and of such, stands a greater chance to win the forthcoming elections as it is on the path of success and victory.
The Governor described as unfortunate, how someone who ought to have good understanding of electoral processes, telling people that elections will end within 30 minutes, saying that the person has questionable character and should be arrested because election is part of democratic process which cannot be surveyed.
He said all they are doing point to the fact that people of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are afraid because they have failed to deliver on their promises hence the resort in demand for changes in the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Residence Electoral Commission (REC).
Governor Emmanuel called on the people to reject the APC in all ramifications and vote PDP for a better Nigeria.
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