Ekpotu: Akwa Ibom must reject divisive politics

A former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Patrick Ekpotu, has called on indigenes to reject  divisive politics, and ensure “sustainable development, peace and progress”.

Ekpotu spoke yesterday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, after the Governor Udom Emmanuel inaugurated a peace committee, the “After Congress Unification Committee”.

The committee is aimed at  bringing together aggrieved parties in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with the aim of addressing complaints, and present a united front in the governorship election.

While addressing the people on the need for “unity of purpose, sacrifice and hard work in the interest and progress of Akwa Ibom”, Ekpotu (one of the 22 who contested with Emmanuel in 2014), as ommittee chairman, said: “But for this significant milestone to prevail, Akwa Ibom must continue to reject the path of divisiveness, engineered by the masquerades belatedly dancing to drum beats of our discarded past.

“We must, through the coming elections, take steps that uphold our overall interest, that of the state and nation, by not giving into their physical or psychological chants. We must stand united and say no to evil plots, intimidation and deceit. A moment comes in the life of every generation where such spirit must come through.

“This is the time and the coming elections, that moment… when you can stand and say, I make my destiny. And I deserve better! My children, my family deserve better! My country deserves better! For the strength and power and goodness of Nigeria will always be based on the strength and power and goodness of our communities, our families, our faiths. And all without exception come under the powers of the Governor who can have you sleep peacefully or enact strenuous circumstances that determine your life and death. A small tribe was told thousands of years ago: ‘put before you life and death, blessings and curses – and you choose life’. This, Akwa Ibom, should be our choice too,” he said.

Describing Emmanuel as “God fearing,  big- hearted and down-to-earth leader”,  Ekpotu appealed that Akwa Ibom, “following the gains thus far recorded, authorize him further with our votes– to harness the extraordinary creativity and talents and industry of the Akwa Ibom people with a system that is dedicated to creating tomorrow’s prosperity rather than waste them on candidates who are deep in nothing and master nothing than redistribution of today’s prosperity.”

Ekpotu said: “Thankfully, Akwa Ibom people, irrespective of socio-economic standing, are now more politically aware, strong and decent; strongly holding beliefs beyond ourselves and that’s a good citizenship spirit. When it is missing, no government programme can replace it. When this spirit is present, no wrong can ever be advocated to stand against it. And in that spirit, I see Akwa Ibom people ready to take their destiny in their own hands by voting to sustain our freedom, peace and sustainable development. These are what a vote for Governor Emmanuel and the PDP represent.”

Explaining why he and others, who contested with Emmanuel, are working for his re-election, the former deputy governor said: “In his first campaign in 2014, he could not enjoy the support of some of us, because like him, over 22 others were also seeking the same opportunity: To lead the state we so love in a different direction and restore the enduring principles on which our society was built and change the same old politics of Uyo Hill Top Mansion.

‘’But by the decision of our party and by the choice of the same Akwa Ibom people we aspired to serve, he was chosen as governor. Election was over and we left everything on the field and thank our supporters for taking up the slack.

“I trusted that his intellect and his hard work and his commitment to principles would continue to contribute to the good of the state.

‘’Concerned more about Akwa Ibom, there was no need to risk partisan bickering and political posturing and to join the dark side of the push and pull. But to reach across the aisle to help do the people’s work and inspire our children with a passion for sportsmanship.

‘’And real democrats always come together after elections. That is why it is not surprising that Governor Emmanuel’s second term campaign is featuring an enlarged support base, united in one vision,inspired by common values and sustained by shared heritage.”