By Aniekan Sunday
Less than twenty four (24) hours since Akwa Ibom Governorship aspirant on PDP platform; Rt Hon Onofiok Luke promised to work for the emergence of Pastor Umo Eno as Governor of Akwa Ibom State, positive reactions have trailed the action of the former Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
Recall that yesterday, the Oku Ibom Ibibio and Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium LGA, His Eminence, Edidem Solomon Etuk and other monarchs of Ibibio land had summoned Luke and his kinsman; Pastor Umo Eno, the PDP governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom, where the royal fathers advised both of them to work together politically for the benefit of the State.
Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday at the home of Rt Hon Luke, after having what he called, “a thank you Visit” to his former colleague, Victor Udofia who represented Ikono State Constituency in the House of Assembly between 2011 and 2019, thanked his host for his spirit of sportsmanship when he endorsed his kinsman, Pastor Umo Eno, yesterday.
“I came here to thank my friend and brother, Onofiok and shake hands with him for displaying Spirit of sportsmanship and accepting to put the past behind him, knowing that the future is brighter and that Pastor Umo Eno is his elder brother.
“I make bold to say that his decision is the best and I support him because you cannot rob Peter to pay Paul; you cannot work in company X and expect Company Q to pay your salary. Because both of us are PDP members, we must continue to support all PDP members as far as 2023 general elections is concerned. I reminded him that he must work for the Party that has made him what he is today in all ramifications.
“Away from that, the leader of our party, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel means well for Akwa Ibom people. Some dissenting voices may through tantrums now on him, but tomorrow they will accept that Pastor Umo Eno is a God fearing man and will continue on the good work of Governor Udom Emmanuel when he takes over in May 2023.
“These were some of the things I discussed with my brother and for the umpteenth time, I want to thank him for not allowing politics to separate him from his kinsman.” The former Ikono lawmaker stated.
Describing Hon. Luke as a true party man, Udofia said, the House of Representatives member has shown that the people of Akwa Ibom State are more valuable in consideration than his personal political ambitions.
On why he did not snub taking picture with the governorship candidate of YPP, Senator Bassey Albert, who stormed Luke’s compound when he was about exiting, Victor queried: “If you suddenly see a friend you have not seen for a long time, would you run away because he is not in the same political party with you again? That would be childish nau”.
On his preparation to canvass votes for his party in the forthcoming general elections, Udofia announced that his supporters were in high spirit, awaiting the Independent National Electoral Commission to lift the ban on public political campaigns, boasting that he has put structures on ground to give 100 percent votes in Ikono to all candidates of PDP; Pastor Umo Eno as Governor, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem as Senator, Dr Glory Edet and Hon Itoro Columba as members, House of Representatives and House of Assembly respectively.
