Akpan Umoh, Uyo
The Youth Leaders of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Forum in Akwa Ibom State has cautioned Gov. Udom Emmanuel against the imposition of the candidate during the 2023 governorship elections in the state.
Mr Bassey Etim, Leader of the youth leaders from the Itu/Ibiono Ibom federal constituency in a press conference on Tuesday in Uyo said that the Governor should allow the people of the state to choose who is their governor.
Etim said the youth frowned at the situation the governor used the apparatus of government to choose his preferred successor in the Government House, which belongs to all Akwa Ibom people.
“We the Youth Leaders of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency state as follows; That the governor, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel should allow the people of the state – the men, the women, the youths and indeed generality of the qualified voting populace of Akwa Ibomites to choose who becomes their next governor.
“This would be in sync with the governor’s principle as he particular expressed in 2019 general elections that “no single person can choose who to lead the state and who not to lead,” Etim said.
Etim, however, said that the governor has the right to support whosoever person he wished to support.
He said that it was unfair for the governor to coerce, appointees or political office holders with threats of sanction for failing to support his preferred candidate.
He warned that the imposition of candidates in any disguise would be the existence of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom to an end.
Etim said the governor should respect the zoning principle to ensure justice, equity, and good conscience by ensuring that Itu/Ibiono Ibom federal constituency produce the governor in 2023.
He said that Gov. Emmanuel should separate and distinguish his official position from his personal and private capacity by imposing a person or aspirant on the Akwa Ibom State people.
Etim said the governor should not spend the state resources for his preferred candidate for a consultation.
“That His Excellency be democratic in his approach towards supporting his preferred candidate by separating and distinguishing his official position from his personal and private capacity in influencing and or imposing a person or aspirant on the state.
“To this extent, we pray that His Excellency refrains from using state resources for a person as against the corporate and cooperate interest of the state,” he said.