The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Akwa Ibom State, Nsima Ekere, has promised to end militancy among the youths in the state.
Lamenting that militancy and its attendant criminality has paralysed socio-economic life in parts of the state; he promised that his government would implement a programme of amnesty that was sincere.
He also pledged empowerment for the youths who have been forced into anti-social activities by lack of economic opportunities.
Ekere, who made the promise on Friday while campaigning in Ukanafun local government headquarters, also promised the people “a new deal.”
He said; “I will bring Ukanafun back to the path of peace and development. I can assure Ukanafun people that these dry bones shall rise again. My priority will be the rehabilitation of Ukanafun; a proper amnesty with empowerment.”
He empathized with the people of the local government area as well as the people of Etim Ekpo and Ika local council areas who had to endure three and a half years of rampant insecurity that led to so much destruction and loss of lives.
Also speaking at the rally, Senator Godswill Akpabio urged Ukanafun people not to be afraid, assuring them that the federal government has the capacity and resolve to protect them. He urged them to be ready to go out and vote on the election days.
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During the rally, some members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, defected to the APC with the promise to work for the success of the party in the forthcoming elections.
Earlier in the week, Ekere, who was at Ikot Ekepene and Obot Akara to solicit their votes, promised the communities that he would banish poverty and hunger in the state.
He assured the people that if elected, his government would empower the youths to be wealth creators.
According to him, his government will support those who want to go into business with money.
Speaking at Obot Akara, the deputy director-general of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, Tony Esu, assured Ekere of the peoples total support.
