The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akwa Ibom State is uneasy after the statutory delegates, which include select ward and state officers, deserted the state governor and officially endorsed Mr. Onofiok Luke, the former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, for governorship in 2023.
Pst Umo Eno, the Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, was recently recommended by Governor Udom Emmanuel as his preferred successor.
Udom’s move drew a lot of criticism from various groups and members of his own party.
Following that, the selected successor began vigorous negotiations in which several individuals and stakeholders were alleged to have approved him and pledged their support.
In contrast, over 250 statutory delegates in the party, who appeared concerned by pastor Eno’s attitude and ambitions, challenged the governor and endorsed Luke, who is presently the chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Judiciary.
Mr. Abraham Joshua Udoekong, speaking on behalf of the delegates, said they saw in Luke the capacity, character, love for the people, ideas, and passion to drive the state’s economic and social development, and as a result, they have decided to come forward and endorse him for the general good of the Akwa Ibom people.
“We are taking this daring move for the overall interest of our state,” he says. We began mobilizing for Onofiok Luke’s gubernatorial campaign in 2020, and we have now gathered delegates to come here and support Onofiok Luke. We support him and will vote for him.”
Udoekong claimed they were unconcerned about recent political events in the state, arguing that their decision to back Onofiok Luke in the party primary was irreversible.
Other members of the group who spoke at the gathering stated that it was past time for PDP members to take control of their own destiny by voting their conscience rather than people chosen for them.
Addressing the group, the Director of Operations, Amazing Grace Campaign Organisation, Mr. Victor Brownson, thanked the delegates for coming out to publicly endorse Luke.
He said, “There was a time we were looking for delegates; now delegates have seen the truth; they are now coming for Onofiok Luke.
“Onofiok Luke is one man who is associated with good works and I believe that is why you want him to be governor of Akwa Ibom State. We need a good man on the saddle of governorship and Onofiok Luke has demonstrated in words and actions that he is a good man.”
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