By A N I E T I E U S E N
The Governor-elect of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno has made a passionate appeal to all his political opponents in the State to make peace and join him in building a united and prosperous Akwa Ibom State. Pastor Eno was speaking yesterday, Monday, March 27, 2023, in Uyo when the leaders of the Inter-Party Advisory Council , IPAC, along with their defeated governorship candidates visited to throw their weight behind the governor-elect.
“This is the beginning of the healing process. The elections are over. The healing process must begin. We must work together to develop our State. This is not my personal project but our own Akwa Ibom project. We must bring our ideas together, harmonise it and implement it together for the good of our people...” he said.
According to Pastor Governor-elect: “This is the way to go. As I said shortly after my declaration by INEC, we will run an inclusive government. It will not be a winner takes all affair because no one will be left behind”, he said.
He said that one or two of his opponents may still go to court in spite of his overwhelming victory in 29 of the 31 States. But he advised them to spend their money wisely, rather than waste it on litigations. “That money can be well spent by using it to help our underprivileged people... Instead let’s come together, sit together, talk together and join hands in building a greater Akwa Ibom State for the benefit of our people”, he said, adding that “as a pastor I have the ministry of reconciliation. I habour no ill-feeling towards any man. All I want to see is a happy and prosperous Akwa Ibom people”.
Speaking on behalf of IPAC, the State Chairman, Hon. Ubong Emmanuel expressed delight over the meeting, which he said was the beginning of greater days for Akwa Ibom State. He acknowledged that Governor Udom and the key stakeholders who endorsed Pastor Eno actually made a good choice. “Those of us governorship candidates who really wish we are in your shoes today are here to celebrate with you and work together with you as the one God has chosen”, he said.
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Akwa Ibom, Obong Barr. Ita Ekpo said that he is not against his fellow governorship candidate who may wish to go to court but he considered that route a waste of time and resources.”I ran to win. But it is difficult to win against a party that is fully on the ground and very prepared and poised to win. I am someone who is realistic and consistent. I have been in APGA since 1999. I understand the political terrain in Akwa Ibom sufficiently. Governor Udom made no mistake. The victory of Pastor Eno is of God. We must follow him. Am not against those who want to go to Coirt, but I think it is futile”, Obong Ekpo, who is also a Pastor and Spokesman Of the Presidential Campaign Council Of APGA said.
It would be recalled that IPAC had earlier congratulated Pastor Umo Eno on his success at the polls describing his victory as the will of God. The congratulatory message said: "Dear Governor-Elect, your resounding victory at the polls, is a further affirmation of the divine will of God at ensuring that not only the best candidate was elected and given the mandate by the people, but one who best understands where we are coming from as a people, where we are presently and who knows the best route towards attaining and achieving our target destination."
Other governorship candidates present at the occasion were that of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Social Democratic Party, (SDP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Alliance, (AA), Boot Party( BP), Peoples Redemption Party ( PRP), namely Mr. Nsikak Hogan, Mrs Emem Udoh, Mr. Eyo Ekong, Abasiekeme Ekanem, Akan Ekpenyong, Sunday Ekanem respectively.
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