The National Coordinator of Maintain Peace Movement, Mr Emmanuel Enoidem says any local government area in Uyo Senatorial District in Akwa Ibom can produce the next state governor in 2023.
Enoidem who said this while fielding questions from journalists during a press conference by Maintain Peace Movement at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Uyo, Monday, November 15 dismissed the idea of micro-zoning of the position to any area.
He, however, invited members of the union to the unveiling and inauguration of the National Executive Council of MPM billed for Friday, November 19 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Enoidem who is also the outgoing PDP National Legal Adviser recalled ”On the 28th Day of July, by the special grace of God and with the blessings of His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and Grand Patron of the Maintain Peace Movement, we took time out to make deliberate investment on the monumental gains of peace engendered in our dear state by the government of Gov Udom Emmanuel.
”This historic endeavoour is intended to make the legacy of peace in Akwa Ibom State enduring and sustainable by ingraining it in the minds and hearts of our people.
”On that day, we took the message of Peace, the gargantuan gains our state has enjoyed on account of the legacy of Peace that the present administration has laid to the good people of Ikono and Ini Local Government Areas.
”Since then, this message of Peace has penetrated every Local Government Area and political Ward in our State.”
He pointed out ”The overarching message which this Movement has taken to all the nooks and crannies of Akwa Ibom State, has been that Peace has been the firm foundation and the anchor which Governor Udom Emmanuel has built the strong pillars of development across all sectors of our state economy.
”On account of this, as people who have witnessed firsthand and cherished the benefits of peace, we lauded out to plant the seeds of peace across the the land.
”For instance, it is an incontrovertible truth that the 3 aircrafts that opened the door for the flagship Ibom Air project which has become a watershed in the Nigeria’s aviation sector could not have touched down the Victor Attah International Airport if irate and warring youths of the host communities had closed down the airport as a way of ventilating any grievance.”
According to him, ”We also acknowledge the fact that the numerous industries that have created a viable means of direct and indirect employment for several Akwa Ibom State indigenes would not have been sited anywhere in this state if the one who superintends over the affairs of this state did not send a clear message early enough that he is a man of peace.
”Today, with over 7 aircrafts in the fleet and counting, the very young but award-winning Ibom Air project has become the airline that defines the path for the nation’s aviation sector and has added a beauty to the magnificent brand name that Akwa Ibom State has become.
”As we march vigorously towards the actualization of the Ibom Deep Seaport, we shudder to think what will befall this project, which will stay as a golden goose for Akwa Ibom people, if we do not build on the present legacy of peace that we currently enjoy as a State.
”This is why we have decided to bring the message of peace to a wider audience at the State level.
”Come, Friday, the 19th Day of November, 2021, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, the Grand Patron of the Maintain Peace Movement will mount the rostrum to amplify the clarion call on every Akwa Ibom person to lend their hands to the patriotic task of sustaining this cherished ideal of peace.
”On that day, His Excellency will formally unveil the Movement and Inaugurate the National Executive Committee of the Movement. We therefore use this platform to invite all Akwa Ibom people to join us as we converge on the Nest of Champions by Noon on that Friday for this historic event,” he added.