Akpabio Charges Youths on Elections

Youths in Akwa Ibom have been enjoined to remain peaceful, law abiding and to ensure violence-free campaign in 2011 general elections.
The State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio who gave the advice last weekend while accepting calls by youths of former Abak Division to re-contest the governorship position in 2011 during a mammoth Youth Rally held at Bishop Clark School, Abak stressed the need for them to tolerate their political opponents and jealously protect the mandate given him in 2007.
The youths drawn from former Abak Division made up of Abak, Ukanafun, Etim Ekpo and Ika Local Government Areas had told the Governor of their preparedness to sponsor the Governor in 2011.
“I want to accept your sponsorship. I stand proud to accept your sponsorship to go for 2011 governorship position. The youths of Uyo Senatorial District accepted to sponsor me in 2006. I want you to work hard to protect this mandate”, Akpabio assured.
He commended the youths for the rally and promised to remember them in the scheme of things, stating, “I won’t forget you in this administration. Since you have honoured me, God will also honour you”.
The Governor disclosed that 19 internal roads in Abak Local Government Area are to be completed and commissioned this year outside Hospital Road which is under construction.
Chief Akpabio accompanied by his dear wife, Ekaette Unoma; Deputy Governor, Engr. Patrick Ekpotu, and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Anietie Etuk, among others commissioned Nursery School Road and Park Lane in Abak Urban.
He pledged the determination of his administration to initiate and complete all projects within the span of the present administration, noting “I won’t be tired in doing well. My task is to change the entire landscape of this state”.
The Deputy Governor, Engr. Patrick Ekpotu, said a person who performs creditably must attract envy and hatred from his contemporaries, noting that the Governor has performed which is the reason some people are envious of the achievements.
Engr. Ekpotu asserted that the present administration in the state is led by a man who dreams and interprets and assured that nobody would snatch the governorship position from him.
He called on the people to team up and support Akpabio in his second term bid to be able to execute more life-transforming projects.
The Chairman of the occasion, Obong Sunny Udom was happy that the three major tribes in the state had endorsed the Governor for a second term in office but said the youths and indeed the people of former Abak are ready to sponsor the governor in 2011.
Obong Udom lauded the Governor for the construction of Afaha Obong-Etim Ekpo-Iwukem Road as well as Abak urban roads, and hoped that other roads in the old division left out would be constructed to alleviate the sufferings of the people who were hitherto abandoned and marginalized by some past administrations.
The Commissioner for Information and Social Re-orientation, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, in a vote of thanks, expressed appreciation to the youths of former Abak Division for hosting the State Governor successfully and urged them to remain absolute in their avowed determination to return Governor Akpabio in 2011.
Other speakers at the occasion were the Speaker in the state House Assembly, Anietie Etuk, the Deputy Speaker in the Assembly, Obong Okon Uwah, Senator Anietie Okon, Obonemem Ekperikpe Ekpo in the House of Representatives, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Vice Chairman, Ikot Ekpene, Prince Imo Ibokette, a one-time Chairman of Newswatch Board of Directors, Dr. Ime Umanah; a one-time Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Ime Okopido; state PDP Chairman, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk and Commissioner for Housing and Urban Renewal, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem among others.