IBIBIO RECEPTION : GOV. EMMANUEL GETS ENDORSEMENT FOR CONTINUITY IN OFFICE

 The unprecedented crowd that turned out at Asan Ibibio, Ikot Oku Ikono Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State to honour Governor Udom Emmanuel, his wife Martha thereby endorsing him for a second tenure has jettisoned the saying that a prophet has no respect in his hometown.

The event which was a grand reception organised by Ibibio Nation at Asan Ibibio drew personalities including governors of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Governor of Ekiti state Ayodele Fayose, Senate Minority Leader Senator Godswill Akpabio,  former Governors of the state, top government functionaries,  Senators and Political Stalwart across party lines . 

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Emmanuel who sued for the development of the state,  told the people to eschew diversive tendencies, close ranks and work for peace and unity of the state. 

He expressed appreciation to the Ibibio Nation for the support, show of love and solidarity which he acknowledged, are evident in the unprecedented crowd that graced the reception organised for him and his wife. 

He commended the legendary vision of the founding fathers who fought for the development of Ibibio race being the fourth largest ethnic group in the country and assured the people of his determination to serve them better using his position as Governor of the State. 

The Governor noted that people clamour for positions of authority by fanning the embers of ethnicity, bitterness as well as party partisanship and particularly called on politicians to have a clear vision of rendering services to the people as they aspire to public offices. 

Governor Emmanuel expressed appreciation to the Chairman on the occasion Air Marshall Nsikak Eduok, Chairman Central Planning Committee Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, for putting up a colourful reception saying that the occasion has confirmed his acceptability by the people across the state and  pledged his administration’s determination to take  development projects to every part of the state . 

Addressing the mammoth crowd,  Chairman on the occasion, Retired Air Marshall Nsikak Eduok,  said that  the people of Ibibio extraction have deemed it necessary to honour Governor Udom Emmanuel in view of  his impeccable track record of providing quality leadership which has translated  into provision of excellent amenities and prudent management of resources. 

Air Marshall Eduok,  unbehalf of the entire Ibibio people, congratulated  Governor Emmanuel  on his achievements and appealed to him to continue to provide quality leadership to the people of the state stressing that God has blessed  the Ibibios with rare gems and that they have contributed immensely to the development of the country.

The Elderstateman therefore used the occasion to advise the people to shun destructive tendencies but rise to the occasion of fostering oneness and contribute to the development of the state.

In their goodwill messages, Governors of Abia, Ekiti and Imo states expressed appreciation to the people for their decision to endorse Governor Udom Emmanuel for continuity in office saying that Akwa Ibom people have made a wise decision. 

The Chairman PDP Governor's Forum Mr Ayodele Fayose said that the party is big enough to acommodate every interest having establish it  root in the south south and south East region of the country.

Also, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly Hon Onofiok Luke stated the readiness of the Legislators to support Governor Emmanuel to deliver on his mandate maintaining that the second term agenda of the Governor is a done deal as far as the Legislature is concerned. 

The Senate Minority Leader,  Senator Godswill Akpabio,  described Governor Emmanuel as a bridge builder saying that Akwa Ibom people did not make mistake in 2015 when they elected Mr Udom Emmanuel as Governor of the state. 

He commended the Governor's dexterity in managing the state economy during the economic recession emphasizing that Governor Emmanuel had showed working by taking development to every part of the state  despite the recession and described him as a blessing to the State. 

At the colourful event which featured renditions by a renowned highlife musical artiste Sir Wilker Jackson and traditional display by Cultural groups, traditional rulers in Ibibio land presented gift items to the Governor .