More than 10,000 members of All Progressives Party (APC) from Abak five in Akwa Ibom State, Friday, defected to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during a mega rally and reception party organised by youths of the areas for Governor Udom Emmanuel.
Among the defectors were Sunny Udom, a one-time Director-General of 2015 APC Governorship candidate Campaign Organisation and Okon Obot, a one-time Commissioner for Housing in Akwa Ibom State.
Udom on behalf of the defectors thanked PDP for welcoming them to the party, saying that they moved from frying pan –PDP- to fire-APC- and pledged to work for the success of the party in the forthcoming general elections.
The event, organised by youths of the five local government areas created from the old Abak Division comprising Etim Ekpo, Oruk Anam, Ukanafun, Abak and Ika local government areas, was held at Abak township stadium, Abak.
Elated Emmanuel thanked the people for the honour and support, and announced “I am going to make sure that by May 29, this year, we launch an electricity pioneer scheme to ensure that a minimum of two local government areas in Abak 5 would enjoy steady light and enable the proposed industrial estate in Abak to function properly.”
“My target now is for Akwa Ibom to produce to Nigeria, the best student in the next WAEC examination and make sure our youths become captains of industries in the nearest future. We need to groom our young people for excellence.”
He announced plans to establish a technical institution to be located between Mkpat Enin and Oruk Anam local government area to offer technical training for the youths, assuring that the school would commence academic activities before the end of this year.
He assured that efforts are in top gear for the completion and inauguration of Ukanafun General Hospital, stating, “In the meantime, I promise you that in the next three months, the hospital in Ikot Okoro would be fully functional”.
The state chief executive said his administration was consolidating on the developmental achievements of his predecessor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, explaining that the infrastructural development witnessed in the state, was to sustain the industrialization drive of his administration.
Martha, his wife, who hails from Abak 5, was full of appreciation for her kindred, saying, “What your in-law, the Governor, did within the last three years, was only a tip of the iceberg. I promise you, he will do more in these areas.”
Mr. Moses Ekpo, the State Deputy Governor, also a native of Abak, described the governor as a highly detribalised individual, stating that the Annang nation was happy to identify with the achievements of his administration.
Onofiok Luke, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly said the large turn-out of people at the event was an indication of the wide acceptance of the governor in the senatorial district, expressing hope for continuous endorsement of the Governor across the state.
Luke, who was represented by Udo Kierian, the House member for Oruk Anam State Constituency and House Leader of the State Assembly, said he was proud of the governor’s superlative leadership, pledging support to ensure restoration of normalcy in communities with locked in insecurity.
In his goodwill message, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate Minority Leader, thanked the people for using the occasion to endorse him for a second term in the red chamber.
Akpabio, who is representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District at the red chamber, remarked that his constituency projects were aimed at complementing the efforts of the governor, rolling out some of the projects he undertook and expressing confidence in the re-election of Governor Emmanuel 2019 general elections.
Earlier, Emmanuel Enoidem, the Chairman on the occasion and National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had said the reception was a tradition of the people of Abak 5 to honour one of their own in positions of leadership.
Enoidem, who described the governor as a worthy in-law, stated “You have brightened the landscape of Akwa Ibom State. You have shown capacity, ability and uniqueness. You have united Akwa Ibom State and shown that it is possible for a successor to work smoothly with a predecessor. That is why we are celebrating you today, together with the pride of annang land, your wife.”
While commending the developmental strides of the Governor in the state, the former commissioner said that the people were delighted at the Governor’s zeal at implementing the five point agenda of his administration, assuring of victory in the Governor’s re-election in 2019 with voting strength of over 300, 000 registered voters in Abak 5.
In their separate goodwill messages, DIG Udom Ekpoudom (Rtd), Chief Senas Ukpanah, a former Federal Minister and Mrs. Ekemini Umoh, Special Adviser to the Governor Udom on Co-operative and Rural Development and Akpan Ikim, President, Abak Division Youth Movement, appreciated the Governor’s good deeds in the area, pledging the unalloyed support of the people of Abak 5 for the continuation of the present administration in office to complete its developmental agenda for the state.
