The Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Akwa Ibom State, Nsima Ekere, has pledged to fully restore security and peace to Etim Ekpo Local Government Area if elected Governor.
The area has been ravaged by violence in the past two years
Ekere, who made the pledge at the APC campaign rally in Etim Ekpo on Thursday, lamented the huge loss of lives and property during the violence.
He promised to create employment opportunities for the youths of the area in addition to a proper rehabilitation programme for repentant militants if he becomes Governor.
The APC guber candidate expressed his appreciation of the determination of Etim Ekpo people to vote for the APC.
He said: “From what I am seeing, election is over in Etim Ekpo. Thank you for supporting President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Hon Emmanuel Ekon, Barr. Chris Okorie and Obong Nsima Ekere.”
Also speaking, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, a former Governor of state, declared “Obong Nsima Ekere is going to be our Governor come rain come shine.”
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He faulted the State Government’s claim on peace in Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun and assured the people that Ekere will bring real peace to Etim Ekpo through job creation and proper amnesty to former militants.
Senator Akpabio canvassed for peaceful elections in the area and advised the youths not to throw away their votes by voting any other party apart from APC.
Don Etiebet, the APC State Caucus Chairman, in his comments described Ekere as a quality and dependable material to be Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
A leader of the APC in Etim Ekpo, Inibehe Okori, described Ekere as a promise keeper who will deliver on all his promises to the people of Etim Ekpo.
He posited that if the APC flagbearer could make so much impact across the state in two years as the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, he would perform as Governor for four years.
The campaign team had earlier visited the Etim Ekpo Traditional Rulers Council where the Clan Head of Obong, Obong Tuesday Jombo, together with other Clan and Village Heads received and blessed Ekere and his running mate, Dr Amadu Attai, on behalf of the Paramount Ruler, Prof Amanam Udo.
Addressing the traditional rulers, Ekere promised to uplift the status of the traditional institution in the state to place it at par with traditional institutions in other parts of the country.