By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
The Akwa Ibom governor has stressed the need for chairmanship candidates in the October 5 local government election contesting under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to engage in issue-based campaign, by dwelling on the sterling record of accomplishments, and selling their message of hope and the party’s shared aspirations as elaborately contained in the ARISE Agenda.
Pastor Umo Eno, who stated this, Thursday, at the flag-off of the 2024 local government election campaign and presentation of flags to the 31 chairmanship candidates of the party at the Uyo Township Stadium, Uyo, urged them to make known their intended service to the people rather than dwelling on attacks on persons or institutions.
According to Eno, candidates have so many things to talk about, given the quality performance of the PDP-led government in the State, describing them as great ambassadors who represent the heart and soul of the party, as well as ambassadors of the ARISE Agenda through which the party has brought development, peace, security and good governance to the State and its people.
He saw them as representatives of the collective symbols of all past leaders of the State who, he recalled, have in the last almost 37 years, and most specially since the commencement of the current political dispensation, worked hard to lift the State from a backwater subnational it was at creation, to a destination of choice it has currently become.
Eno noted that with the current local government autonomy in place, which will give them the opportunity to handle finances of their areas after election and swearing in, it behooves on them to be accountable to take responsibilities and serve the people with transparency, love and passion.
He reminded them that as local government helmsmen, after their success in the election, they would be expected to key into rural development as one of the key elements of the ARISE Agenda and be partners in state government’s collective desire to lift the people and show them that government and governance can be platforms and forces for good.
The governor, while congratulating them on their successful emergence as candidates of the party, pledged the resolve of the state government to continuously collaborate with them as expected by the people, expressing hope that as the chief security officer of their respective councils, they will keep and maintain the peace after their election.
Eno enjoined them to engage in campaigns devoid of bitterness, rancour or mudslinging, as there is no need for name-calling or violence of any manner since the party has a fantastic record to run on, which they are expected to run with.
“Let your campaign be without bitterness, rancour or mudslinging. There is no need for name-calling or violence of any manner. We have a fantastic record to run on, that’s what we expect you to run with.”
The State chairman of PDP, Elder Aniekan Akpan, appreciated the governor for his laudable performance since assumption of office, saying that he has given the party the impetus and solid foundation upon which to campaign, assuring that the party was prepared for the election and will win in all the local government areas.
Also, the state chairman of the PDP Congress Coordinating Committee, Mr Uwem Okoko, an engineer, while setting the tone for the event, recalled that the process which saw the emergence of the candidates was fair and all inclusive, with 40 per cent of the positions given to women as directed by the leader of the party, governor Umo Eno.
Speaking separately at the event, the political leaders of Ikot Ekpene, Uyo and Eket Senatorial Districts, Senators Emmanuel IbokEssien, Effiong Bob, and Chief Nduese Essien, who was represented by Ambassador Assam Assam, respectively, said Akwa Ibom people were happy with the leadership of PDP in the State since the return of democracy, and the UmoEno-led administration in particular.
They described Eno’s administration as unique in its approach, noting that it was the first time of selecting candidates for the party without any rancour, assuring that the people of the three senatorial districts will continue to support him and ensure the victory of all the PDP candidates in the forthcoming elections.
The deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi and Obonganwan Grace Ekong, appreciated Eno for the inclusion of women in his administration, while also assuring that Akwa Ibom women will stand by him and vote for PDP candidates in the forthcoming elections.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of flags to the 31 chairmanship candidates.
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