BY EDET OKPO
From the committed pronouncements made by both parties: Governor Udom Emmanuel as a PDP Governorship Candidate and Okobo People as a unified electorate,it was clear that the Governor’s flag-off of election campaigns in Okobo local government area for a second term in office was indeed a renewal of covenants to sustain the tempo of good governance through the Divine Mandate with the unwavering support of the people of Okobo who already have demonstrated enormous loyalty and have promised to sustain it till 2023.
There could have been no stronger and auspicious signals of patriotic readiness and general acceptance of the Okobo people than what happened on Wednesday January 23, 2019 at the Government Primary School, Okobo. The people of Okobo closed their shops and markets and put off every other activity of personal importance, defied the more than one hour heavy downpour in the area on that day, and waited patiently and joyfully in their numbers to receive their Governor for the flag-off of gubernatorial election in the local government area. It was perhaps the largest crowd to a similar event in recent times.
The Governor in his typical manner was frank and realistic in his brief campaign message to the people. He stated that whereas it was easy but obvious that not all local government areas in the State could have been touched with equal measure of development in his first term blueprint in view of resources that were available to the government to facilitate most projects, his second-coming “Completion Agenda” has, in all fairness and sense of justice, been specifically designed to pay concentrated attention to perceivable areas of oversight in taking growth and development to the furthest nooks and crannies of the State.
As it may concern Okobo in particular, the Governor reiterated his commitment to fulfilling all that he has promised and even adding more because of latest findings he has made. “Within the short period we have been here, we have laid a core foundation. Based on the foundation we have built, let me assure you that we are coming back as soon as possible to start construction on the foundation. This coming as already mentioned to the Paramount Ruler in his palace is a renewal of covenant”, the governor emphasized.
Coming for the first time from an official source, the Governor gave a true situation report on the dualization of Uyo-Okobo-Oron Road. He regretted that although in the spirit of fairness and inclusiveness the contract was awarded to an indigenous contractor from the Oron axis, he mischievously abandoned the project and defected to another party.
The governor however told the people not to worry as government has in a quick response to redeeming its promises re-awarded the project to a world class international construction company.
The Governor also observed that because Okobo local government has produced a lot of Senior Advocates of Nigeria and Attorney Generals, it was necessary to shift focus slightly to other areas of academic endeavours, like development of sciences in schools. “Today I have noticed that Okobo does not have a standard science school. Therefore one of the schools that were earlier taken over by the government shall be upgraded to a science school with fully equipped laboratories and ICT centre beginning from September this year. This is so that this community shall begin producing Engineers and Medical Doctors and it is my wish that the next chief pilot that will be flying Ibom Airlines will come from Okobo”, the Governor prophesied.
The State Chief Executive also disclosed that contract for the construction of Nung Atai-Atabong Road up to the beach area has been awarded. He further stressed that more attention shall be given to roads in Okobo, federal or whatsoever, as part of redemption of his promises. For the youth, Governor Udom assured them of government’s readiness to ensure that jobs are created and other supportive packages given to drive development and growth in the area. “I want to assure the youths; this time around we are out to create employment. The biggest employer is agro-allied, therefore, our youths will be empowered to be fully engaged in self-reliant endeavours. Give me more years, if I don’t surprise you with pleasant surprises, tell me I did not stand on this podium to promise you. Whatever we promise that is what we will do. we don’t promise and fail”.
The visibly elated Governorship Candidate of PDP maintained that although his administration has impacted on Okobo in the areas of employment of few indigenes to work with him, road project interventions, establishment of cassava farm and processing factory, etc, he came to appreciate the fact that Okobo people deserve more in view of their immense contributions to the growth and development of the state and country.
He deeply appreciated the sustainable loyalty and support he has received from Okobo Stakeholders,Elders, youths and Women and also solicited more in the coming elections for himself and all other PDP candidates starting from the Presidential election, warning them against selling their PVCS for it tantamounts to selling their consciences. “Truth be told, my work will be easier if you give me reliable team to work with. That is why you have to secure your PVC and ensure you vote those you believe you can see and interface with after the elections, those who will think about you and your community, and not those who would disappear and reside in Abuja permanently”.
In their separate speeches, the former Governor of the state and Director-General of the Divine Mandate Campaign Organization, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, the State Chairman of PDP, Obong Paul Ekpo, Deputy Speaker, and Member representing Okobo State Constituency in Akwa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Princess Felicia Basseyformer Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Ekpenyong Ntekim, the Executive Chairman of Okobo, Hon. Ubuo Ubuo, former Speaker,Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and Okobo Coordinator, Divine Mandate Campaign Organization, Chief Barr Peter Linus Umoh,PDP Chapter Chairman,Hon Maurice Fimba, Youth Leader, Pastor Asukwo Nduonyi, Woman Leader, Hon. Helena Etim, called on the people to vote for PDP if it is their desire to continue to enjoy the prevailing peace in the state, industrialization, investment opportunities and job creation. They advised the people not to be intimidated by threat of any federal might federal might as they are prepared to vote for the umbrella in this year's Elections.
The climax of the day perhaps was the handing-over of flags to all candidates of the party in the state, namely Dr. Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi (Senate), Mr. Nse Ekpenyong (House of Reps,), Rt. Hon. Princess Felicia Bassey (House of Assembly).
Of great encouragement to the Governor, for sure, was the huge numbers on his side. Considering that all the who-is who in Okobo politics were at the event, coupled with the defection of over 370 persons from the All Progressive Congress (APC) to the PDP, the major question on all tongues was who then remained for the opposition in a local government area that is totally dominated by the PDP faithful.
The long list of personalities at the event can never be exhausted as Secretary to the State Government, Engr. Emmanule Ekuwem, commissioners, Members of the House of Assembly, head of parastatals, traditional rulers, students, women groups, and cultural organizations all turned up in great numbers in support of the movement.
It can be no exaggeration to say that, as far as Okobo was concerned, like statistical indications from other local governments already visited by the governor have shown, the 2019 governorship election as it concerns Governor Udom in particular and other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates has been won and lost .
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