November 20, (THEWILL) – Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has stressed the need for national peace as Nigeria approaches the 2023 general elections.
He added that the only political party that would ensure sustainable peace in the country during and after elections in 2023 is the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The governor who noted this during the official Inauguration of the National Executive Committee of the Maintain Peace Movement (MPM) at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, said the peace being preached is urgently needed across the 36 states of the federation and worldwide.
He however assured that with the gospel of the Maintain Peace Movement being preached in the 31 LGAs of the state, the politics of 2023 cannot divide the people nor disrupt existing peace in the state.
Governor Emmanuel cautioned Akwa Ibom politicians against inviting external forces to disrupt the existing peace in the state, insisting that Akwa Ibom belongs to the PDP.
“This message is starting in Akwa Ibom State today, but it is needed in all the 36 states of Nigeria and indeed the whole world. We need peace, unity, love, brotherhood. Everybody is preaching peace, why not you. You must seek, pursue, maintain and sustain peace.
“Outsiders should leave us alone. Politics, political parties and religion should not divide us. I declare peace in Akwa Ibom State. If citizens agree that there should be peace, then there would be peace.
“I declare the peace of the Lord Almighty upon Akwa Abasi Ibom State.
“This peace will bring development and money. Money is caword and can only survive where there is peace. We are saying no to all sort of negativities. Even the Politics of 2023 will not divide us, the politics of succession will not divide us.
“Akwa Ibom is PDP, PDP is Akwa Ibom, so leave us alone, PDP is the only party that can ensure peace in Akwa Ibom. Do not open your door to any aspirant who is not preaching peace. In our move towards transition, there shall be peace.” The governor stressed.
In his opening remarks, the chairman on the occasion and deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State, Moses Ekpo, said the Movement was necessitated by the need to ensure a smooth and peaceful transition of leadership beyond the present administration.
He called on those inaugurated to consider the event an important step toward ensuring a smooth and peaceful succession plan.
He said: “You cannot transfer leadership in an atmosphere of fear, dread and selfishness.
“This event is significant because it would make clear that peace is absolutely paramount and necessary for a community that wants to move forward and make progress.
“Let me pay tribute to Governor Udom Emmanuel, a man of peace, sent by God to the state at the right time and the difference is very very clear.
“The peace movement is possible because the leader of this state is an embodiment of peace. Akwa Ibom State has never been this peaceful. Peace resides here. That same God who gave us a Governor who cares about the people will sustain the state beyond the tenure of this government.
“We are here to inaugurate formally the instrument for continued peace. God will point to all of you here who the successor of Governor Udom Emmanuel will be. I don’t know how we would be able to live in an environment that is devoid of peace.
“Whoever takes over come 2023 must be a man endowed with peace. if you are peaceful you would think about the need of other people, you would not be selfish, you would push for equity, fairness and justice. This leadership is very mindful of the need to put this state together.
In his acceptance speech, the national chairman of the Maintain Peace Movement and immediate past national legal adviser of the PDP, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, said the mandate to take the message of peace and to prepare the ground for peaceful transition came through Governor Udom Emmanuel in August 2021.
“We have gone round all the 31 LGAs with the message of peace and the crowd today communicates the degree of acceptance. Akwa Ibom people are prepared to stand with you to process the completion agenda and your succession plan. It is an unwritten custom in our state.
“We, the managers of the movement, are with you on your succession plan, you shall not be alone. What you have done in the last six years is not an act of accident. your achievements have been monumental. You have taken Akwa Ibom to the world. You have laid a solid foundation to industrialize the state. We assure you that PDP will be retained in Akwa Ibom State”. he assured
Some of the key officers inaugurated include the national chairman, Barr Emmanuel Enoidem; the deputy chairman, Aniekan Bassey; the secretary, Hon Enobong Uwah; the director of media and publicity, Comrade Ini EmemObong; among others.
