Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has appealed to the people of Etinan Federal Constituency to support the emergence of a governor from Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District in 2015.
The governor made the appeal during a town hall meeting organised by the State Government for the people of Etinan Federal Constituency at Etinan Council Hall on Monday.
Akpabio said: “Since 1999, the two senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom North East and Akwa Ibom North West had produced governors in the state.
“Justice and fairness demand that the people of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District should take their turn in 2015.
“This government decided to hold the town hall meeting because we believe strongly that we have come to a critical moment in our history.”
Akpabio said this was the moment to take a decision on the way forward, adding: “You are a strategic partner in the development of the state.
“Since the days of Dr. Clement Isong of old Cross River, no government could succeed without the contributions of Etinan Federal Constituency.”
He assured the people that there would be no anointed candidate and that the election would be open to all contestants in 2015.
Akpabio said stakeholders would sit and zone political positions at the end of constituency consultation.
Former Senator Effiong Bob (Akwa Ibom North East) thanked the governor for initiating the town hall meeting to test the pulse of the people.
Bob, who is the Pro-Chancellor, University of Benin, said the meeting was an opportunity to say the truth.
He had asked what the people of Etinan federal constituency stood to gain if the governor came from Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Business and Rules, Senator Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom North East), promised the refunds of money expended on federal roads by the state government.
Enang urged the governor to support people from Etinan Federal Constituency to get Federal Government appointments.
The paramount ruler of Etinan Local Government Area, Edidem Ime Umoette, appealed to the state government to construct the road leading to the Leprosy Hospital at Ekpene Obom.
He also called for the upgrading of facilities and status of Etinan Institute, the oldest secondary school in the state, established 100 years ago.
The former Military Administrator of Akwa Ibom, retired Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, thanked the governor for declaring free education in the state.
Nkanga, who was the Campaign Manager for Akpabio in the 2011 election, assured the governor that the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party on the choice of the next governor would be binding on them.
He said: “The decision of the party is final.
“We will stand by that decision.
“For our people, the interest of Akwa Ibom is paramount.”
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