IF endorsements were the only yardstick to determine the next occupant of the Akwa Ibom State Government House, Mr. Udom Emmanuel of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may not need to contest the April 11 governorship election in the state.

By Clifford Ndujihe

Emmanuel has in his kitty a quantum of endorsements from most of the local councils of the state, various groups and stakeholders, who are saying that he is the most favoured to succeed Governor Godswill Akpabio.

The PDP screening committee gave Emmanuel the official nod to contest in the forthcoming primary elections of the party in Akwa Ibom State on November 22. And on December 8, he won the PDP primaries.

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC published his name as one of the candidates on January 2 and the PDP flagged off its campaigns for the general elections on January 16, 2015. Since he emerged as the PDP standard bearer and commenced his governorship campaigns, it has been endorsements galore for the technocrat-turn politician.

Akwa Ibom transporters’ endorsement

•Emmanuel addressing supporters last Tuesday

Transporters in Akwa Ibom State under the aegis of Akwa Ibom Transporters on Thursday endorsed Emmanuel.

The various transports stakeholders held a solidarity rally for the PDP candidate in Uyo, yesterday. In a joint statement by the Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Comrade George Udoh, the State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Roads Transport Workers (NURTW), Comrade Uwem James, and the State Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Road Levies Implementation Scheme, Dr. Victor Eddie, the transporters expressed their solidarity and support for, Mr Udom Emmanuel, and PDP senatorial candidates in Ikot Ekpene, Uyo and Eket.

It is the first time in the state that an amalgamation of transporters will come together to show support to a candidate or candidates before an election. They include NURTW, RTEAN, National Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, Akwa Ibom State Tricycle Union (AKTU), Tricycle Union of Nigeria (TUN), Akwa Ibom State Commercial Tricycles/ Motorcycles Association (APCOTMA), Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC), Central Park Management Committee, Akwa Ibom State Tricycle Management Committee, Akwa Ibom Transport Company Lease Operators Forum, Tippers Contractors Development Association, Earth Moving Equipment Union, Tricycles Owners’ Welfare Forum (TOWF), Transport Operators Movement (TOM), Lorries and Heavy Trucks Union among others.

AKSA workers concur

Before the transporters, Emmanuel had earlier been adopted by the state work force as their sole candidate. The adoption was done at the 5th Labour Summit jointly organised by the state labour umbrellas – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Akwa Ibom State councils on January 30.

A motion for the resolution to adopt Udom was moved by a prominent labour leader at the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Ikot Ekpene, Comrade Iboro Ibara, and was overwhelmingly supported by the cheerful workers at the venue, through lifting of hands.

On February 16, the people of Onna local council also endorsed him during the grand finale of the Udom Emmanuel Governorship campaign tour of local governments in the state.

The event which took place at Abat witnessed the turnout of who-is-who in the politics of Akwa Ibom state, including past and current political office holders, captains of industry, the organized labour, student bodies, youth and women organizations, party faithful and the political class.

The PDP chapter chairman of Onna, Mr Okon William Umanah and the Council chairman, Hon. Ufot Sunday Akpan thanked Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio for not only putting his feet down to ensure power shift to Eket Senatorial District, but for backing an illustrious Onna son in the person of Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel as his imminent successor.

Messages of solidarity for the PDP Standard bearer came from Senator Effiong Bob, Chief Jerry Okpo, former Deputy Governor, Obong Engr. Chris Ekpenyong, who spoke for the tripod of Uyo, Eket and Ikot Ekpene senatorial districts.

In his speech, Senator Bob maintained that Uyo Senatorial District have already taken their turn in the governorship of Akwa Ibom and that any person from Uyo zone who is seeking to be governor is only a dreamer and being overly greedy. He charged all Akwa Ibom people and Onna in particular to take their chance and vote Udom Emmanuel into power for equity and justice, arguing that he is the best.

A former Deputy Governor of the state, Engr. Chris Ekpenyong, gave kudos to Governor Akpabio for carrying out a painstaking search to identify Udom Emmanuel, who he said, is eminently qualified and towers above his competitors for the plum job.

On February 17, the People of Eket Federal Constituency under the aegis of Ekid Peoples Union endorsed and declared Emmanuel as their sole candidate for the governorship polls.

The apex socio-cultural organization of Eket Federal Constituency said it has studied carefully and compared the manifesto of the PDP governorship candidate with those of other contenders, and concluded that his programmes are the best for Akwa Ibom State.

In a resolution read by the national president of Ekid Peoples Union, Professor Asindi A. Asindi, the people of Eket said their support for Mr Udom Emmanuel is based on his proven track record and capacity to improve upon the achievements of the present administration.

Also speaking, the Atta of Ekid and Clan Head of Idua, Obong ECD Abia, said Mr Udom Emmanuel deserves their support not just because he is their son but largely because of his pedigree and competence as deduced from his blue print for the State.

Mr Udom Emmanuel, while appreciating the endorsement by his kinsmen, promised to live up to expectations when elected into office.

The hurdles before Emmanuel

However, to become the next governor of the state, christened the Land of Promise, Udom needs more than endorsements. The former banker must face the likes of Obong Umana Okon Umana of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bishop Samuel Akpan of Accord Party (AP) and Obong Godwill Okon Richman (JP) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) among others at the polls.

Umana, who has also been traversing the grass-roots like Emmanuel wooing the electorate, is asking Akwa Ibomites to vote for the best candidate irrespective of where the person hails from.

So those endorsing Emmanuel must do more than lip service and translate their endorsements into votes on April 11. They must show, in concrete terms, as they claim, that the cap really fits Udom.