The amount of success so far recorded in the development of Akwa Ibom State can only be sustained except the different geo-political zones in the state give the necessary backing to the Governor Udom Emmanuel-led administration.
This is the position of political leaders from the local government areas of Eket senatorial district of Akwa Ibom State.
Rising from an emergency meeting, the leaders resolved that there was need to ensure that there was a peaceful atmosphere devoid of political rancour to enable good governance to reign and make the people of the state live like members of the same family which they are.
The 10-paragraph resolution containing the message is titled: Toeing the path of peace and harmony in Akwa Ibom State.
The leaders denied the existence of any rancour between the two major political leaders in the state – Governor Emmanuel Udom and his predecessor, Godswill Akpabio.
They warned the different groups in the state to avoid making any statement that could cause chaos and destroy the success recorded in the development of the state.
The statement reads:
Toeing the path of peace and harmony in Akwa Ibom
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We the leaders of Eket senatorial district have watched with awe, the unfolding developments in the polity which appear to be at variance with our communal disposition as a people of the same family. Having noted the concerns raised in different quarters, we have a firm belief that except caution is applied, and calm restored, we may end up collapsing all the gains we had united to build as a state in the last couple of years. Suffice it to say that in a democracy, everyone’s view is required to oil the engines of progress, we are of the belief that we should be circumspect in our utterances and decisions to avoid undesirable consequences.
We cannot forget in a hurry, that it took the collective support of our elders, stakeholders and people from Uyo and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial districts to ensure the emergence of our son, His Excellency, Mr Udom Emmanuel as Governor in 2015. It is also worthy of note that when the whirlwind and political storm rose their ugly fangs, our collective backing and contributions were firm. The enemies of the state were disappointed and their plans to upturn all we had laboured to build were grounded.
We are not oblivious of the fact that our Senatorial district was grossly cheated in the distribution of infrastructure, appointments etc by the two previous administrations despite our undisputed contribution to the revenue of the State. We did not allow that sentiment distract us from supporting those previous administrations. We are also demanding the other two senatorial districts to join us in giving our son full support in his pursuit of good governance of the state.
Since assumption of office in 2015, our son and leader, His Excellency Mr. Udom Emmanuel has exhibited a huge sense of humility in relating with all stakeholders within and outside the state, in a bid to attract peace and development into the state. We believe that he has been fair in the spread of developments to all part of the state. He may not have been perfect, given that he is human and is also plagued into acting within the realms of available yet limited resources.
We have noticed that our two statesmen, His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Governor Emmanuel are relating well as partners in the state project, with the former governor making it clear that he had not been well informed of the developments in his district. Senator Akpabio is quoted as saying in the meeting with the Governor, that if he had been so informed, he would not have made his earlier comments. That to us, would have brought an end to the issue, but unfortunately some persons still went ahead to apportion blames and ignite tension.
In reality, Governor Udom Emmanuel’s relationship with brother Governors and the Presidency, despite being on different political divides, gives him out as a peaceable leader. This peaceful disposition has made our Governor to assume a leadership role in the South South and South East forum of governors, as well as in the economic team of Mr. President.
We therefore come with an olive branch to our brothers in Uyo and Ikot Ekpene senatorial district to please exercise restraint in actions that can only disunite us and stall developments in our state. We are therefore appealing for an end to open confrontations and media altercations which can only bring joy and gratifications to enemies of the state, who do not wish us well.
It is our prayers that as leaders in our respective geo-political zones, we should call our lieutenants to desist from flying the ethnic kites and render full support to our Governor, the leader of our party the PDP, and our representatives at all level of governance.
We in Eket senatorial district therefore appeal that no further comments, especially in the media should be made on this issue, to avoid further misinterpretation and misunderstandings from our teaming supporters and followers.
His Excellency the Governor needs every support he can get to drive his vision and actualise his mandate effectively. Once again we reiterate our implicit confidence in His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel and pledge our unalloyed support to his leadership till the end of his two-term tenure as Governor in 2023.
