Chidi Tony/ The Sunday evening endorsement of Akwa ibom state Commissioner of Lands and Water Resources Pastor Umo Enoh by Governor udom Emmanuel and a cross section of stakeholders in Government House Uyo have been rejected by the Member for Etinan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives Hon Omofiok Akpan Luke.
Luke a governorship Aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a press statement made available to Journalists in Uyo on Sunday night described the event as an act of deceit as he was ambushed and denied opportunity to speak his mind.
According to the press statement which he tagged ”We Are Still On Course”, Luke said ” Out of respect and as a loyal party man, I honored an innocent invitation from the Governor for a meeting this evening at the lodge;
”At the meeting my brother from my local government and Federal Constituency, Pst Umo Eno was presented as the choice of the Governor for succession;
”It was at the said meeting that I heard of the agenda and choice for the first time and no one held any discussion with me prior to the meeting;”
The Rep member who explained that he has nothing against the choice of the Governor coming from his local government and Federal Constituency noted that his aspiration to serve the state in the capacity of the Governor remains on course;
Luke further highlighted, ” This statement would not have been necessary but not for the misrepresentation in media which may create a negative impression about my person and the reputation God has helped me to build these number of years in public service;
” My supporters and those sympathetic to my cause should please note that we are as resolute as ever in our desire to give our people purposeful leadership in the office of the Governor come 2023.
God’s Amazing Grace has always seen us through and will always see us through”.
However Our Correspondent observed that some aspirants to the office of the governor even those still serving in the governor’s cabinet, such the state Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr Akan Okon and the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Emembong,were not present at the meeting, thus confirming the existence of deep cracks and bad blood in Gov Emmanuel’s team.
Speaking earlier in a telephone chat with Correspondents, Luke emphasized “I’m not against their endorsement; and I’m not against the elders of the state. But I’m saying the endorsement could have happened after proper consultation.
“I went to Obong Attah and told him why didn’t you talk to all of us who are in this race? Why didn’t you talk to Sen Bassey Albert, why didn’t you talk to Akan Udofia; why didn’t you talk to Akan Okon; why didn’t you talk to James Iniama? because its Obong Attah that made the presentation, not the governor.
“We would have loved their endorsement but that would have been after due consultation. We would love the endorsement by the elders of the state but whoever they would endorse should be the choice of the majority of people in the state.
” So for me as Onofiok Akpan Luke, I am in the race for the governorship. I am going to stand election on the platform of my party the PDP. I am not part of that endorsement at all.
“But I respect their views; I respect the opinion and choice of the governor. I respect Obong Victor Attah and the opinion of the elders of the state. It is their choice. I only respect their opinion; but I am not in support of what they are doing.
” I was ambushed. I didn’t know the agenda of the meeting but I had to respect the governor and attend the meeting at the lodge on his invitation.
“For three good times I had raised my hand seeking to be allowed to speak but I was ignored”. Luke said.
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