A support group under the aegis of Ibom Patriots has vowed to vehemently oppose alleged plot to rig the 2019 general elections in Akwa Ibom State through “federal might”.
The chancellor of the group, Obong Bassey Inuaeyen, stated this on Friday during a press conference held at the NUJ Press Centre, Information Drive, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Inuaeyen, who said the group took such resolution following insinuations from different quarters that the APC-led federal government would rig its way into the state’s hilltop mansion using “federal might”, called on political leaders and aspirants to canvass for votes other than resorting to electoral malpractices in order to win an election.
According to him, ”Anybody planning to use federal might or rigging to win Akwa Ibom should think twice because we as Akwa Ibom People are ready to rise up against such person(s).
”We will vehemently resist the manifestation of the loud boast that any defection in Akwa Ibom State will upset the traditional political equation of the state on the basis of the thickening plot to massively rig the 2019 General elections in justification of the misplaced electoral worth of some of the major defectors. We repeat: this we will vehemently resist and it shall not stand.
”We however enjoin every political party to freely and democratically canvass for votes in every part of the state unhindered. If the people love your programmes, they will vote you”.
On the chances of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s gubernatorial victory in 2019, Obong Bassey expressed optimism, saying that with the enthronement of unity, equity and fairness as well as the developmental thrive of the Governor victory is assured.
”We in Akwa Ibom believe in Unity, Equity and Fairness. We have seen the way Gov. Udom Emmanuel is running the state and we are pleased with it and say we will support him to continue in his office.
”Udom is a man of integrity who is ready to keep his words and work tirelessly to develop the state. He has exhibited praiseworthy capacity in his navigation through these thorny issues of titanic debt profile and unfavorable financial climate. His general development of the state stands him apart from a conventional politician.
”Since the inception of democracy in Akwa Ibom state, there was His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah from 1999-2007, there was Senator Godswill Akpabio from 2007-2015 and there should be Gov. Udom Emmanuel from 2015-2023. All of our elected leaders served their constitutional two terms of eight years each. We urge our people not to sacrifice this cycle on the altar of over-rated ego. Let us support Gov. Emmanuel irrespective of what happened two weeks ago in our dear state,” he said.
Reacting to the alleged defection plan of Gov. Emmanuel from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressive Congress APC, the Chancellor described such rumour as the ”hallucination” of mischief makers.
He asserted that the Governor would rather quit politics than defect to the APC.
His words,”It is impossible for a sane man to leave a comfortable building to live in a dilapidated house. The Governor had already addressed us on the issue, saying that he would rather go home and rest than to defect to the APC. So the answer is No No NO!”
Present at the briefing were: the former Vice Chancellor, University of Uyo, Prof. Comfort Ekpo, Engr. Ufot Ebong, Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical Matters and Due Process, Engr. Etido Inyang, Chairman Ibom Power Plant among others.
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