The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have unanimously reaffirmed Sir. Archibong Sunday Akpan as their political leader, warning against inordinate aspirations by selfish individuals or groups.
This is sequel to the recent political development in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of the State, where a faction of politicians during a meeting at Uruk Ata Ikot Ebo declared former Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Udom Udo Ekpoudom Rtd, as the new political leader.
The stakeholders during a press conference on Thursday at Utu Etin Ekpo, also threw their weight behind Governor Udom Emmanuel’s second term aspiration in 2019 urging him to march on, that “they are solidly behind him.”
“After a well-attended meeting with a very robust consideration of all issues affecting our party and the political development in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, we do hereby resolve as follows;
“That there is no vacancy in the political leadership of Etim Ekpo LGA. The only known and acceptable political leader of Etim Ekpo is Obong (Sir) A. S. Akpan a.k.a. Apex.
“Accordingly, we do hereby denounce and reject Mr. Udom Ekpoudom as the political father or father of modern politics in Etim Ekpo LGA. We vehemently disassociate ourselves and the entire PDP family in Etim Ekpo LGA completely and totally from the self-serving so called ‘Political Fatherhood’ of Mr. Udom Ekpoudom or any other person in his ilk for that matter.
“That Etim Ekpo LGA is solidly and completely PDP. We therefore, in one accord, do hereby endorse and adopt His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel as our sole candidate for the 2019 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State, on account of his numerous developmental projects and superior performance.
“We also resolve in furtherance of our support that, at the appropriate time, we shall procure at our own cost, the PDP governorship nomination form, and present it to His Excellency Mr. Udom Emmanuel for his election in 2019.””
The people in a statement jointly signed by 98 eminent political stakeholders from the area and read by the former Council Chairman, Barrister Ikpe Udoaka tagged, “Etim Ekpo is One Under One Leader” warned all party members no matter how highly placed, that any further action that tends to drag PDP into disrepute or division would be visited with the proper disciplinary action.
Chairman, Transition Committee of Etim Ekpo, Mr. Udeme Eduo commended the people for re-affirming their support for Sir Archibong Akpan as their political leader and enjoined them to live in peace as panacea for development of the local government area.
He charged the people to continue to support the governor to achieve meaningful development in Etim Ekpo.
