The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Nsima Ekere, has assured all indigenes of an all-inclusive government when elected into office as governor.
Ekere stated this when he met with the Board of Trustees, executives and members of the Akwa Ibom Community Association in the 19 Northern states and Abuja.
He told the gathering that he had mapped out a sustainable development plan that would involve Akwa Ibom citizens from every part of the world. He noted that his government’s blueprint has captured the very essence of participatory economic growth, which includes a N20 billion fund for strategic enterprise development.
Ekere noted that “it was foolhardy to rely on outsiders to develop the state”, adding that when experienced indigenes are mobilized, adequately empowered and creatively involved, development would not only come faster, but will be more sustainable”.
The APC flag bearer urged the people of the state to support the APC, because “it had the credibility and the experience to deliver the state from under performance and clueless governance”.
“We are poised to give our people a government that would be responsive, responsible and all inclusive. Our people will be given the opportunity to explore their entrepreneurship skills for job creation and economic empowerment of our people. I thank you for this show of love and support for the APC and promise that we shall live up to the expectations of our people. I want to register my sincere gratitude for the sacrifices you have made so far and enjoin you to come to Akwa Ibom State and mobilize the people for a government that would take our state to the center of politics in Nigeria. As a state, we will gain so much with aligning with the power at the center. We cannot benefit from playing opposition in a country like Nigeria today,” Ekere said.
Earlier in their presentation, the association through its President, Comrade Tom Etim Okon extolled the qualities of Ekere and pledged to support his candidature. He described the APC candidate as a man who has the requisite experience, and capacity to govern the state. He maintained that as deputy governor, and lately as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Ekere performed to the admiration of all Akwa Ibom people.
He assured the candidate of the support of his members drawn from the 19 northern states and Abuja. He stated that the members of the association would not only mobilize for the APC candidate, but will be in the state during the election to cast their own votes for him.
The highpoint of the meeting was the motion for the adoption of Obong Nsima Ekere as the choice of all the people of Akwa Ibom State in the 19 Northern states and Abuja, which was moved by the President of Akwa Ibom Community Association, Abuja, Comrade Tommy Etim Okon, and was seconded by Lady Carolyne Ndaeyo. The motion was followed by a unanimous affirmative voice vote.
In attendance at the meeting were; Senator Godswill Akpabio, former governor of Akwa Ibom State and coordinator of campaigns; Senator John Akpan Udoedehe, former FCT minister and deputy coordinator of campaigns; Senator Ita Enang, SSA to the President on National Assembly matters and Eseme Eyiboh, Chairman, Cross River Basin Development Authority and spokesperson of the APC Campaign Council in Akwa Ibom State.