By Chioma Onuegbu

Uyo —Opposition parties under the aegis of Akwa Ibom State Political Parties’ Chairmen, AKPPC, have commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for running an all-inclusive government in the state.

Gov Emmanuel Udom

Rising from their meeting in Uyo, the chairmen resolved to work with the Governor Emmanuel-led administration with a view to delivering the dividends of democracy to the people, saying he is the first governor of the state to carry the opposition along.

Briefing newsmen at the Labour Party, LP, secretariat in Uyo, Chairman of Accord Party, AP, Mr. Joe Itiaba, who read the communiqué on behalf of 17 other chairmen, appreciated Governor Emmanuel for the drive to industrialize the state, but rejected the appointment of one of their own, Mr. Lawrence Udoh, of the Mega Progressive Peoples Party, MPPP, as the Special Assistant to the Governor on Inter-Party Affairs.

After the Supreme Court victory, which re-affirmed his election as the governor, Emmanuel had extended his hands of fellowship to the opposition, pledging to run an-all-inclusive government.

A fallout of this was the appointment of Mr Lawrence Udoh, former Chairman of MPPP, as one of the aides in-charge of inter-party affairs.

According to the opposition leaders, the choice of Udoh was the sole decision of the state Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chairman, without ratification by the forum, adding that the leadership of the group had since stopped doing business with him, unless he was removed.

Aside some issues bothering on inefficiency, lack of transparency and names-dropping-to curry political favour from the government, the Chairmen alleged that Udoh has caused division among political parties in the state.