… As He Receives Thousands Of Decampees From Other Political Parties
By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
In his avowed commitment and loyalty to President Bola Tinubu’s leadership in the country, the Akwa Ibom governor has said he, alongside the PDP in the State, will continue to collaborate with the centre to bring dividends of democracy to the people.
Gov Umo Eno, who stated this Friday, while receiving over 37,000 decampees from various political parties in the State back into the PDP, at a grand rally at the Ibom Hall Grounds, Uyo, promised not to fight the centre, but to maintain the level of commitment and loyalty he has for President Tinubu-led government.
Eno made known that his administration will not support any form of maligning, disrespectful expressions or outright attacks on leadership at any level of government, particularly, the Presidency under the guise of political partisanship, but would rather collaborate to draw dividends of democracy to the people and the state.
He noted that without peace, there can be no progress, charging those who find pleasure in abusing those in leadership positions to drop the spirit and join the state government to support government at the centre,“as we have only one President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we owe allegiance to that President.”
He assured that his administration will continue to build on the foundation of peace and decorum laid by his predecessor, Mr Udom Emmanuel in the state, while warning decampees against fighting the centre as they return to PDP, noting that he, and his party, PDP, will continue to collaborate with the Centre for the benefit of the State.
The governor lauded the over 37, 000 decampees for the bold step they have taken to return to the PDP, as it was time for all to work together in unity and peace through which progress can be made.
The state chief executive officer stated that he was committed and loyal to the PDP and would maintain Akwa Ibom as a PDP State, urging all, particularly returnees from other political parties who were given to abuse to do away with such negative tendencies and adopt the character of respect to constituted authorities, which PDP under his leadership, is known for.
“A lot of people have asked, are you in PDP? Yes! I am in PDP but my PDP is not the type that insults people. So I want to beg you, as you come back, one of the things you must drop is attacking leaders. From the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we will show him support. That is the PDP I run. We don’t attack leadership because what goes round comes around.
We must show respect, decency and loyalty. That way, everything that the President had promised us, God will touch his heart and he will give it to us. You don’t abuse somebody and then turn round to ask for benefits from the person. Is that good?”
Eno, who recalled the period of his campaign and the elections, thanked the decampees from the various political parties for the tough fight they gave the PDP, saying this strengthened his decision and that of his team to stand firm in God.
The governor urged the leadership of the PDP from ward to chapter levels to receive and accept their returning brothers and sisters in love, even as the returning members should show respect to the leadership of the party at all levels, as his administration promises to work with everyone in the spirit of inclusivity.
According to him, his administration is poised to ensure delivery of the dividends of good governance to Akwa Ibom people, noting that with the various programmes targeted at the wellbeing of the people of the state, including women, youths and elderly, such as The Arise Compassionate Home for the very poor families in each ward, routine payment of gratuities, ARISE Initiative for the Elderly, among other lofty initiatives, there will always be something good for everyone,
The state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Elder Aniekan Akpan, while presenting the decampees to Eno, said they were all from various political parties to support the administration of Pastor Umo Eno to succeed.
In their separate remarks at the event, former chieftains of other political parties including Mr Enyong-Ekere, Emmanuel Ukoette, Henry Offiong, Ime Eshiet, Ubong Victor Edem and one time commissioner for science and technology, Mr Samuel Efanga, said their return to the PDP was inspired by Eno’s focus on development, all-inclusive leadership style and lofty programmes geared towards a better Akwa Ibom, all within the period of nine months of his assumption of office.
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