Accolades as Akpabio kicks off re-election campaign

On Saturday, February 26, at the Ibom Hall ground in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, Governor Godswill Akpabio flagged off his bid to return to office in May. Correspondent, GILL NSA-ABASI, writes on his chances of getting a second term.

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has a unique approach to his re-election bid. The campaign rallies he kicked off last weekend is basically utilised to harp on projects he embarked upon across the state. Akpabio also used the campaign programme to receive members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who had left the party, back.

Speaking at the venues of his campaigns which started from Uyo and moved to Eket and Ikot Ekpene, Governor Akpabio spoke extensively on the projects his administration has been able to put in place. Among these, he said, were school buildings, health centres, culverts, electrification projects, roads, free and compulsory education policy for primary and secondary school students as well as free health care for pregnant mothers, children under five years and the aged.

“Today, out of the quagmire of bad and deplorable roads we met in 2007 have emerged dual-carriage ways, standard highways and single lane roads of the highest quality running like industrial nerves throughout the state. We have given a new lease of life to communities which were cut off by impassable roads, some for more than 30 years.

Akpabio listed other projects completed by his administration to include the Ibom Power Plant which he said was already generating 191 megawatts of electricity to the national grid and the International Airport.

He also boasted that Akwa Ibom State was an entirely PDP state “without any infiltration from other political parties,” adding that it was the reason “uncommon transformation” was being witnessed throughout the state.

The governor promised industrial revolution in the state if he returns to office in May. According to him, at least, one cottage industry would be established in each of the local government areas in the state.

At the Eket rally, Akpabio thanked the people for their support for the PDP, noting that in 2007, the zone gave him the highest number of votes and that it was the economic nerve centre of the state.
He promised that in his second term, he would site an Ibom Industrial City and Ibaka Deep Seaport projects in the area. Governor Akpabio said soon, contracts would be awarded for massive road construction in the area.

The Uyo Senatorial District chairman of the PDP, Mr. Billy Etuk, acknowledged the governor’s claim that Akwa Ibom was “a true PDP state,” stressing that he had fulfilled all his promises.

The Director-General of Godswill 2011 Campaign Organisation, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, said the governor was approaching development with anger “in response to the activities of detractors.” He added that the governor would continue to keep faith with the people.

Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who was part of the Uyo senatoral rally, said, ‘’Akpabio will soon turn Akwa Ibom into a paradise, using the flyovers and all forms of technology, including roads, airports, Independent Power Plant and gas processing industry, among others.

“Railway will soon come. The truth is that the governor is not doing things that benefit the state alone, but those that touch other states. I feel proud about what you have done in the last four years.”

On his part, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Chief Nduese Essien, described Governor Akpabio as an excellent performer who has done exceedingly well in laying a good foundation for the development of the state. Another chieftain of the party and former Special Adviser, Chief Joe Udobia, thanked the governor for his “numerous achievements for the state,” saying he had done what God sent him to do in the state.

He, however, advised the governor to view the activities of detractors as a challenge for him to do more.

Also addressing the rally, Senator Etang Umoeyo described Governor Akpabio’s achievements as “Tsunamic and phenomenal.”

In the same vein, Chief Ikpoto Okon Osung assured the governor that the Oron people stood on their earlier endorsement of him by the Oron Development Union, saying that no Oron person would contest against him in the coming election, “otherwise, such a person would not have the support of the Oron people.”

He said Akpabio should expect victory in the area.

The immediate past chairman of the state chapter of the party, Chief Otu Ita Toyo, and Sir Edet Amana also spoke glowingly about the governor’s performance, emphasising that his second term bid was already a done deal.