Ahead of the forthcoming governorship primaries nationwide, some aspirants in Akwa Ibom State under Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have picked their forms to enable them to participate in the 2023 governorship race.
Among those who have collected the forms are Senator Bassey Albert popularly known as OBA, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, Rt. Hon. Michael Enyong also known as Babantan, Akan Okon, and Apostle Aniekan Etim.
The National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which the commenced sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms from Thursday, March 17, 2022, said Expression of Interest for Governorship is N1,000,000 while Nomination Form costs N20,000,000.
Read also: 2023: Akwa Ibom NASS Caucus Endorses Umo Eno for PDP Gov race
Already, the aspirants had consulted the PDP leadership led by Rt. Hon. Aniekan Akpan and expressed their readiness to vie for governorship position ‘gentlemanly’ zoned to interested persons from Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District of the state.
Michael Enyong was the first to have collected the PDP expression of interest and nomination form to become Akwa Ibom Governor.
Enyong, a two-term member representing the people of Ibsikpo Asutan/Nsit Atai/Uruan/Uyo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, is poised to eradicate poverty in Akwa Ibom.
The second person to have bidden formally for the governorship slot is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary, Mr Onofiok Luke, representing Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency.
In a press release to journalists in Uyo, Luke wrote, “My wife and number one supporter, Dr. Uduak Onofiok Luke was at the national secretariat of our party, PDP, to purchase my nomination form as a further step towards the actualisation of our GOAL. I am deeply grateful to my wife for taking charge of the demands at the national front to allow me to attend to political issues at home.
“Within the last two years, I have consulted our elders, women, youths, and other relevant stakeholders across our dear state on my intention to run for the office of the governor in 2023.
“It was on the strength of my interactions and understanding of the peculiar challenges of our people that my campaign is founded on BUILDING TOGETHER, GROWING TOGETHER, and through the Amazing Grace of God, was officially unveiled to the people on Wednesday, March 16, 2022.
“After many years of understudying the leadership process of our state, I am now presenting myself as the Best Foot Forward for our people in the 2023 governorship election.
“As a firm believer that governance is a collective responsibility, I call on Akwa Ibom people to join this Amazing Grace train through their physical, spiritual, and financial support.
“I equally solicit the support of delegates and other stakeholders of our party ahead of the nominations. I am committed to honouring the terms of my social contract with Akwa Ibom people”.
Also, Bishop Andrew Uwanta, Pastor Sunny Ibuot, and Dr. Usoro Usoro, among others had equally bought the 2023 governorship form for Senator Akpan, a two-term Senate representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
This was as the youths of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District boosted the chance of Senator Bassey Albert Akpan becoming the next governor of the state as they presented N21 million to him for the purchase of the form.
Sir Emem Akpabio who presented N21 million cheque to Senator Akpan also known as OBA on behalf of the youths at a rally in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of the senatorial district held on Saturday, March 19.
Another frontline governorship aspirant, Pastor Umo Eno picked his expression of interest and nomination form on Thursday, March 24 at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
Eno was accompanied by some stakeholders among whom were Umo Eno Campaign Team, led by the Director-General, Ambassador Assam Assam, the MPM executive members led by Barr Emmanuel Enoidem, serving and former National and State Assembly members, members of the Akwa Ibom Executive Council, local government chairmen, as well as various support groups of Akwa Ibom.
Addressing reporters shortly after receiving the forms purchased for him by Uyo Senatorial District Stakeholders, Eno thanked the media for the strategic and supportive role in sustaining the nation’s democracy and encouraged journalists to remain committed to fair media attention for everyone seeking elective offices.
He assured them that Akwa Ibom people were in for a new dawn, as he will sustain the peace and development of infrastructure that have become the signature of the state at the moment.
Mr. Akan Okon, the immediate past Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport has also bought the governorship form.
Okon picked the form Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at the national secretariat of the PDP, Wadata House, Abuja.
In a post on his verified Facebook page, the former Commissioner said he would offer Akwa Ibom people “value added leadership.”
“In furtherance of my commitment to serve my dear State as Governor in 2023, I purchased the governorship nomination and expression of interest forms at the national secretariat of our great Party, PDP, in Abuja, today 23rd March 2022.”
“With the broad-based experience I have garnered serving the State in different Ministries in the past eight years courtesy of the benevolence of His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel, I am committed to offering Akwa Ibom people value added leadership for shared prosperity,” he wrote.
Apostle Prince Aniekan Etim, another aspirant has picked his expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the Akwa Ibom State governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Etim obtained the forms at the Wadata Plaza national secretariat of the PDP in Abuja.
An Akwa Ibom person-based development expert from Uyo senatorial district, he has promised to bring a lot of development to the state.
“I am coming from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and I have vast knowledge in public services. I’m accessible to my people and I’m going to work on the economy of the state and make sure it becomes a strong one. So, we are going to help our people to grow and become stronger globally.
“I also believe that PDP is going to find me worthy and give me the ticket. So, it is not all about wealth in Akwa Ibom. I will bring the dividends of democracy to Akwa Ibom people and focus on the areas of education, health, infrastructure, safety and security.”
Amounts for collection of forms for different offices
Meanwhile, PDP NEC has approved amount for the forms are: State House of Assembly -Expression of Interest, N100,000 and Nomination Form, N500,000; House of Representatives- Expression of Interest, N500,000, Nomination Form, N2,000,000.
Others are Senate Expression of Interest,N500,000, Nomination Form, N3,000,000; Governorship Expression of Interest, N1,000,000 and Nomination Form, N20,000,000; and President Expression of Interest, N5,000,000 and Nomination Form, N35,000,000.
NEC approved a 50% reduction in nomination fees for youths aged 25 to 30 years for various elective positions.
The party’s leadership also approved the PDP Electoral Guidelines for the conduct of Primary Elections, and Timetable and Schedule of Activities of the PDP for the 2023 general elections.
The communique announced the establishment of a 37-member Zoning Committee to make recommendations for the zoning of various elective positions for the 2023 general elections.
NEC expressed confidence in the ability of the National Working Committee to lead the party to win the Presidential election, majority of state governors as well as majority of seats in the National and State Assemblies.
