February 08, (THEWILL) – Youths in Akwa Ibom say it is totally wrong for the state Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, to single handedly nominate a governorship candidate for his party – the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).
The youths, under the aegis of Coalition of Akwa Ibom Youth Groups (CAIG), said only political parties have the mandate to nominate flag bearers for any given election not an individual no matter his/her position.
In a joint press conference addressed by the Speaker of the South-South Youth Assembly (SSYA), Comrade Victor Thompson and leader, Youth Democratic Movement (YDM), on Monday, the Youths condemned the governor’s action in its entirety, arguing that handpicking a successor before the party’s primary amounts to imposition and is not acceptable by the people.
They frowned at a situation, where the governor would hide under the guise of ‘hearing from God’ to impose a governor on over 6 million indigenes of the state.
“It is no longer news that Akwa Ibom state governor, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, has in his bid to exploit the element of his godliness of our people and their affinity to God, has come up with a deceptive vision, that God has revealed a successor to him and has single handedly anointed and purportedly appointed his successor in the person of Pastor Umo Eno.
“It is very surprising that the governor is the only person in the state of over 6 million that can hear from God. The governor on the other hand, has done a great disservice to the good and sensibility of over 6 million Akwa Ibom persons by single handedly trying to impose a liability on Akwa Ibom political space for yet to be disclosed reasons.
“It is pertinent to mention that Pastor Umo Eno who has never been associated with nor interested in the political process in Akwa Ibom state, will suddenly become interested in the race and so appointed without consideration for others who have paid their dues, loyalty, resources, time etc to nurse the administration until now.
“Akwa Ibom is bigger than the inordinate ambition of some characters. Having gone through a lot in the hands of the present political actor, Akwa Ibom needs a fresh, vibrant, purposeful and forthright leadership”, Thompson stressed.
“Pastor Eno lacks the political will, sagacity and carriage to pilot the affairs of Akwa Ibom State. His stock in trade is to milk the State, as a typical businessman will always look at the profit and how to maximise.
“Pastor Eno has not contributed to the development of manpower, especially the youths of this State. If he had, then, he wouldn’t struggle with an introduction of himself.
“The Governor, on the other hand has done a great disservice to the good and sensibility of over 6 million Akwa Ibom persons by single handedly trying to impose a liability on the Akwa Ibom political space for yet to be disclosed reasons”, The youths stressed.
