Political tolerance is increasing in Akwa Ibom State as senior state opposition members have admitted and applauded the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party in the just concluded local government elections.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Solomon Enang, leads the pack.
Speaking on a radio programme on Monday, Enang advised members of his party, All Progressives Congress, APC, to accept the results of the election but to prepare seriously for 2019.
Although Senator Enang did not agree with some of the processes that produced the chairmanship candidates, he congratulated Akwa Ibom people for keeping the peace on election day, and accepting the tendered result despite the hitches that might have characterized the election.
He also advocated the PDP-led government in Akwa Ibom to practise an all-inclusive government where political affiliation would not be a determining factor in the discharge of official duties.
He said: “Some weeks ago, His Excellency, Mr. President, led the governor of Akwa Ibom State in his delegation for a foreign visit, and he treated him as governor of a state, irrespective of the fact that he is a member and governor under the PDP.
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“He treated him fairly, he treated him with respect; because he represents the collective people of Akwa Ibom. He did not treat him as PDP, he treated him as a governor. The governor of Akwa Ibom State should also treat the people and the APC like that.”
He explained that the Presidency was interested in what was going on in Akwa Ibom State and encouraged Akwa Ibom people to lend all the support they can to the incumbent administration.
Similarly Obong Godwin Akpan Udoedehe, elder brother to Senator John Akpanudoedehe congratulated PDP for the victory, and specially lauded the chairman-elect of Uyo, his own council area.
Udoedehe a leader of APC based in United States, said over the social media that it was important for the newly elected chairmen to work hard and justify the confidence placed in them.
He made the call after many members of his party including Senator Aloysius Etok had faulted the conduct of the election.
The APC led by Amadu Atai had also issued an official statement distancing itself from the results announced by AKISIEC.