Young professionals of Akwa Ibom origin within and outside the state have called on the secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Mr Udom Emmanuel, to join the governorship race without delay.

By Ayo Onikoyi

Describing Emmanuel as one of the leading aspirants in the race to succeed Governor Godswill Akpabio in 2015, the professionals spoke on the banner of  Akwa Ibom Young Professionals Leadership Initiative (AK PRO).

While unveiling the secretariat of the group at Unit A54, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, the Managing director of Ibom Power Company, Dr Victor Udo, expressed appreciation to the young professionals for coming together with the purpose of partnering the governor in moving the state forward.

Udom Emmanuel

He and described the SSG as a thorough bred professional whose wealth of experience in the private sector has placed him in a better position to bring about sustainable development of the state through industrialization and job creation.

Also speaking, a former Chairman of Uyo Local Government Council, Dr. Christopher Nyong, who was a guest at the event, saluted the courage of the youths, who are all professionals in different fields for deeming it necessary to come together to chart a course that would secure the future of the state.

He threw his weight behind the zoning arrangement earlier endorsed by the State Executive and Working Committee of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
Dr Nyong maintained that the only way that the continuous unity of the state would be guaranteed was allowing Eket Senatorial District, which has never produced a governor since the creation of the state, to have its turn in 2015.

The former Council boss condemned those who are currently fanning the embers of ethnicity by their insistence that power should not go to the district, charging   the young professionals and the entire youth of the state to remain steadfast and not to relent in their pursuit of equity, justice and fair play in the 2015 governorship.

The Diaspora representative of the body, Mr. Abasiekwere Imoh, said the decision of Akwa Ibom youths in the Diaspora to queue behind the aspiration of Emmanuel was informed by their firm belief that he represents the new face of Akwa Ibom and has the capacity to sustain the uncommon transformation drive of the Akpabio administration.

He said it was high time every Akwa Ibom indigene stood up to protect their future and the future of the state by rejecting charlatans masquerading as agents of change, noting that they do not have anything good to offer the people other than their selfish interest.

AK PRO National President, Barrister Ofonime Enoh, stated that the group is a platform targeted at bringing together young professionals practising their trades within and outside the state as a melting point with the aim of changing the face of politics and governance in Akwa Ibom in particular and Nigeria as a whole.