UYO (Sundiata Post) – Mr. Udom Emmanuel, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, says that there is nothing to fear about the state being in opposition if he is elected governor.
Since the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the presidential elections of March 28, fears have been expressed in Akwa Ibom State that it would not be in the interest of the state to vote for PDP.
But speaking in Uyo, the state capital, Emmanuel, a former banker who also served the secretary to the state government, said Akwa Ibom has always been a PDP state and would continue to remain so for a long time.
According to him, the PDP has become the only platform for the people of the state to hold unto for any negotiation, adding that it has become the identity of the people of the state.
He said the development of the state has always been done by the state government while what comes from the federal government was only complementary, adding that if voted into power he would maintain a cordial relationship with the federal government.
“The people should entertain no fear as to whether being in opposition would place them in a disadvantaged position.
“the Akwa Ibom person is a PDP person and they demonstrated that during the presidential election. And that means we cannot lose our identity overnight. No Akwa Ibom person will lose their identity. Akwa Ibom people are not ready for that servitude mentality; we will stand firm for what we are noted for.
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“The identity of an average Akwa Ibom person from the youths to the elders is that we are a PDP state. And that we stand on what we are noted for. So come Saturday, I expect a massive turnout of Akwa Ibom people and a landslide victory for PDP not just for me as the governorship candidate but also for my house assembly members,’’ he said.
He urged politicians in the country to emulate the example set by President Goodluck Jonathan by congratulating their opponents after the results of the governorship and state assembly elections are announced.
“Let us develop that spirit of sportsmanship in politics. The president has already set the standard. We don’t expect any candidate to go below that standard, once the result is out, look for your colleague of any other party and congratulate the person.
“We want to appeal to other political parties, once PDP wins on Saturday, go and congratulate others, develop that spirit of sportsmanship in politics. The president has already set the standard. We don’t expect any candidate to go below that standard, once the result is out, look for your colleague of any other party and congratulate that person.”
He said he would expect Akwa Ibom shd people to return PDP 100 percent because “we are after the development of Akwa Ibom,’’ adding that “whatsoever we get from the centre, it would just be an addition’’.
