2023 governorship: PDP delegates adopt Onofiok Luke, spurn Emmanuel’s anointed aspirant

Kufre Etuk

A cross-section of statutory delegates of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP across Akwa Ibom State have adopted Barr. Onofiok Luke as the sole aspirant for the 2023 governorship election in the state against Governor Udom Emmanuel’s anointed candidate, Mr Umo Eno.

The delegates who came under the name, Great Supporters of Onofiok Luke, in a motion moved and seconded by members, expressly adopted Barr. Luke as their sole aspirant and vowed to persuade other delegates to identify with the lawmaker.

The International President of Great Supporters of Onofiok Luke, Mr. Abraham Udoekong who led delegates on a courtesy visit to the campaign office of Barr. Onofiok Luke at Ewet Housing, said that the course to ensure Luke’s emergence as PDP governorship candidate started since 2020.

He explained that delegates had made up their mind since 2020 that come rain or sun, they will support Luke.

“We knew that a time like this would come where there will be challenges but as great supporters of Onofiok Luke, we are not shaken.

“We came out here to hear from the campaign team and go back to all nooks and crannies of the state to garner more delegates for Barr. Onofiok Luke.”

In a similar development, another socio-political group, Onofiok Support Group Network, has reiterated their commitment to stand by Barr. Onofiok Luke’s governorship ambition till the end.

The executive members of the group from all the local government areas who visited the Director-General of Amazing Grace Campaign Organisation in Uyo, noted that they were in the campaign office to further reassure themselves that Barr. Onofiok Luke is still in the governorship race.

The International Coordinator of the group, Edemekong Edemekong, revealed that despite the political confusion that has enveloped the State, they were still committed to the course of seeing Barr. Luke become the next governor of the state.

He applauded Barr. Luke as a true Christians who does not believe in giving people juju for the sake of winning the election.

There have been avalanche of condemnation in Akwa Ibom State since Emmanuel picked Eno as his preferred candidate for the party, alluding that his choice of Eno was based on divine direction.

Strident voices were also heard from different directions blaming the governor that he despised those who were instrumental to his becoming governor for total stranger in the political arena.

They stated that Akwa Ibom State is too big for a single man to impose a candidate on over 7 million people with different mindsets and threatened to resist the governor on his quest for imposition.

However, reacting to the visit separately, the Director-General of the Amazing Grace Campaign Organisation, Mr. Imo Udo, hailed the two groups for their support while urging them to be focused.

He described Luke as a good man, fits to be the next governor of the state.

“I have never heard of anybody who said he hates Onofiok Luke. We need a good man on the saddle of Akwa Ibom State leadership.

“Onofiok Luke is a peaceful man, your campaign and mobilisation should be peaceful no matter the level of intimidation and provocation,” he said.