Senate 2023: Why Senator Akpabio will not win in Essien Udim
In reaction to the recent Supreme Court affirmation of Senator Godswil Akpabio as the All Progressives Congress for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, the Chairman of Essien Udim, Mr. Anthony Luke has said that the Ex minister for Niger Delta Affairs will not be able to win in Area since PDP is the predominant party in Essien Udim.
Speaking in an interview with journalist in Uyo, the State Capital, the Chairman stated that the former minister made the worse mistake by defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which brought him to political limelight to the All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2018 adding that such action amount to ingratitude as the same has made him governor for 8 years, senator and senate minority leader.
“”It is base on this gestures by the PDP that we in Essien Udim resolves and had a covenant with other Senatorial District that for supporting Essien Udim/Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District person to be governor for 8 years, Senator and Senate Minority Leader, we will support someone from Eket Senatorial District to be governor for 8 years and that is Mr. Udom Emmanuel and we must stand with Udom to complete his second term. We will also support someone from Uyo Senatorial District in 2023 to also be governor.
“We will keep the covenant even in 2023. We will not renege on that covenant so that other zones will also stand by us when it is the turn of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District again. Besides that, Essien Udim are people of integrity. We are not ungrateful people who will forget all that PDP has xone for them in the past years. In fact, Esssien Udim would have been nothing without PDP. And remember, this same Goswill Akpabio had in 2014 told us not to leave PDP and that we should support Governor Emmanuel for 8 years. So, we will remain in PDP and we will votes only candidates of the party in 2023.a,” he insisted.
According to Aluko, PDP is like a family in Essien Udim and well rooted thereby making it the party to beat in the 2023 elections.
The chairman also accused Sen Akpabio of neglecting other part of Essien Udim during his 8 years as governor of the state but sited almost all developmental projects in his country home, Ukana alone.
“”What will he use to campaign in other wards in Essien Udim apart from Ukana when he took every thing to. Essien udim does not start and stop at Ukana. How do you explain the siting of Police Secondary School in Ukana, Mobile Police Base in Ukana, Feseral Polytechnic in Ukana, Cottage Hospital in Ukana. It is only in Ukana that you can see good roads. That is why i said, apart from Ukana, Sen Akpabio does not have anything to show for his 8 years as governor, senator and minister. So, it will be difficult for Akpabio and APC to win election in Essien Udim.
The council boss further advised the former senate minority leader to begin to plan his retirement from active politics to pave way for the younger generation to also have their turn in governance while he assume the role of an elderstatesman adding that he has benefitted immensely from the political good will of Essien Udim people and it is time for him to give others a chance.
The Chairman insisted that Essien Udim people will vote for Senator Emmanuel Enoidem to represent them at the senate and every other PDP candidates.
“”Let me tell you the senate seat for Ikot Ekpene senatorial District is for the ten local government areas and not only for Essien Udim and for God sake, we in Ikot Ekpene federal constituency has produced senator for five times but Abak Federal Constituency has not produce for once. Are they not party of the senatorial District?” Aluko explained.
On his achievement in office, the chairman noted that his priority was to ensure peace and security of his people first as no meaningful development can tKe place in an atmosphere of crisis and insecurity.
“That, we have done by purchasing motor cycles for police survellance, dug borehole for police, rebuilt the damaged police building and also take of the welfare of the security operatives in the area. We have also provided generating set to the army at the boundary between Akwa Ibom and Abia State.””
He added that as part of his bid to reposition the local government council, he has purchased 6 vehicles for official use in the council to enhance smooth running of council activities..
He said, “As a local government chairman, I am determined to leave lasting legacies at the end of my tenure in office despite challenges. We have empowered a lot of rural market women through my wife. We have paid hospitla bills to many indigent people in the area, he narrated.