Akpan Umoh, Uyo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it has already forwarded the name of Obong Akan Udofia to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the governorship candidate of the party in Akwa Ibom in the forthcoming general elections.
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Umana Umana said this at a stakeholder’s meeting in Uyo.
Umana said that the action by the party would bring some relief to supporters, who have become apprehensive over the continued inability of INEC to recognise Udofia as the Akwa Ibom state governorship candidate.
The Minister had notified stakeholders that the National Executive Council of the Party had presented the name of Udofia to INEC as its gubernatorial candidate but only awaiting confirmation by the Court for INEC to do the needful.
Umana, solicited the collective support of stakeholders for the Udofia, urging them to cease dwelling in the past and rather look at the bigger picture that the future holds for the party in the state.
“Let us move away from petty bickering and wrangling over the past. Now, we are to focus on the APC presidential rally while strategic steps are being taken to peacefully redress the protracted challenges in our party,” he said.
Also speaking, a former Presidential aspirant of the party and immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom, Chief Godswill Akpabio, said that Udofia was the duly elected and recognised governorship candidate of the party.
Akpabio, who sued for peace and unity said he was personally ready and focused on achieving peace for the party, and called on all supporters to rally around Udofia for victory in the forthcoming general elections.
In his reaction, the governorship candidate, Obong Akan Udofia, commended the resilience of members for remaining faithful and committed to the party.
The gubernatorial candidate of the party thanked stakeholders for their doggedness and loyalty to the party.
“I am a man of peace and a child of destiny. I have come in peace to build with you. Let’s work together to prosecute the coming general election. Let us bury all the Court cases that have held the party back.
“Our challenges and frustrations stem largely from poverty, hunger and lack that has enveloped the majority in the state,” Udofia said.
Udofia assured party faithful and supporters that if they unite to win the election, poverty and hunger would be banished in Akwa Ibom State.