UDOM’S DECLARATION CRUMBLES OPPOSING CAMPS The morning of Tuesday 21st October was naturally balmy. As early as 7am, the venue managers had assembled the protocol staff and security operatives for a final briefing. Even as the officials were putting finishing touches on logistics, the crowds started trooping the Uyo Township Stadium for the grand declaration of Mr Udom Emmanuel for the Governorship seat in Akwa Ibom State. The supporters and enthusiasts took their seats before 10am when the event that was billed to kick start at noon. Lo, the stadium was full. The central planning committee were left without a choice than to kick start the event with music artiste performances. The crowd were held spellbound by the duo of pastor Goody Goody and Godfather followed by a performance by Lagos based Akwa Ibom Act, Point 1 who sent the crowd wild when he rendered the promotional campaign song titled ‘’Nyem Udom’’. The women and youths displayed different dance steps from Etighi to Ozonto and waist twisting swag makosa style; dancing and chorusing with the ebony singer Nyem Udom and the periodical response was thunderous. The exit of Point 1 from the stage saw the like of Ice Kid, Wad Udom Crew, Eno Williams and many others artiste take centre stage to entertain the teeming crowd with lovely renditions which promoted the aspiration of the Former Secretary to Akwa Ibom Government, Mr Udom Emmanuel. At exactly 1pm, the event commenced officially, the crowds were growing still, this forced the organisers to install four big television screens outside the stadium for the overflow crowd and lock downed the gates and the people were advised to watch the event from the large screens in other to avoid a stampede. Already the mammoth crowd inside the stadium hit more than fifty thousand people, far above the official capacity of the venue. There came the man of the moment, the child of destiny, Deacon Udom Emmanuel. His entry into the event was celebrated with a standing ovation, songs and dances, brass band ensembles, cultural displays and the performing band brought its creativity to bear, sending the entire crowd ecstatic. The event managers struggled for more than twenty minutes to calm the rapturous crowd. The masters of ceremonies pleaded with the people to sit down urging that there will be enough time for them to show their love for Udom Emmanuel. After the crowd managed to return to relative calm, the tone for the event was set by the Chairman of the event, who thanked the people for believing in Udom Emmanuel’s capacity to lead Akwa Ibom State. The introduction of Kecee of the Limpopo fame aroused another session of wild Jubilation, as both the elders and youths took to the dance floor but the greater part of the dancing was done by the elated women folks. I won’t bother enumerating the people who gave goodwill messages, but let me inform you more, on the celebrations and jubilations of Akwa Ibom people, as they celebrated the acceptance of Udom Emmanuel as their next Governor. The last major performance of the day was done by the king of fusion, who mixed his afro hip-pop with highlife sensation, Flavour, took the crowd into another ecstatic mode with his hit tragic ‘’African Baby’’ the whole stadium was a dance floor for both the able bodied and disabled. As soon as he was done with his performance, it was time for the beautiful bride of Akwa Ibom State future to be introduced to the people to declare his intention. The introduction which was done by the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State Otuekong Idongesit Nkanaga , whose speech was diminutive but meaningful , “I want to bring to you a man of destiny, a man with the future of Akwa Ibom State, the man with the brain capacity that will change our collective destiny and that man is Deacon Udom Emmanuel, Mr Right, Mr Correct and the real deal”. The already electrified crowd went wild again and burst into songs that the band could not help than to join them in singing, ayaya ,ayaya ubok Utom Abasi ayaya. For over thirty minutes this popular song of joy was sang by the massive crowd. What was magical to most of us was the clement weather. The sun shone in great light. It was a true sign of acceptance by both God and man. . They immediate past secretary to the state government took to the podium amidst shouts of joy by women and youths alike. These were his assurances to the people of Akwa Ibom State. “As I stand today and declare, my declaration to serve Akwa Ibom state as the next governor come 2015 is anchored on my seven point agenda. They are, 1 to build on the uncommon transformation of the present administration 2 To transform the economy of Akwa Ibom state for industrialization and sustainable public private sector initiative and open up many opportunities, and improve the living standard among our people. 3 I will respect and uphold the tenets of democratic governance under which our great party, PDP stands for and respect the party structure. 4 To ensure the security of lives and property of people at all times with adherence to the principles of the rule of law, thereby ensuring equity, justice and fair play. 5 I will promote unity, oneness across the state with due respect to our traditional institution and the Elders of our society. 6 To continually develop, empower our women and youths with an improved welfare programme 7 I stand here and promise all Akwa Ibomites at home and in diaspora an economic advancement and promote the fundamental human right for us all. Going ahead, I stand here to pledge to pursue the task of rural development and integration with all vigour which will bring benefit and dividend of democratic governance to every nook and cranny of our state. I will provide basic amenities to all and sundry without any discrimination. I humbly present myself by the grace of God as a humble servant, dedicated to service; committed to uplifting Akwa Ibom into the committee of highly industrialized state. I’m passionate about all round development and transformation of this state. I’m passionate about wealth creation for our people and economic development. Above all, I’m passionate about the wellbeing of our people. I hereby present myself as that force of change that will galvanize Akwa Ibom irrespective of ethnic, tribe, religion, and political affiliation which our people will ride on to unprecedented economic destiny of development. I humbly present my qualifications and testimonials of my capacity and preparedness for this assignment which I solicit your support. I’m a chartered accountant by training, a banker by profession. I have over 35 years’ experience in the Nigerian corporate world spanning all sectors of development of economy, and rise to the apex of each of those sectors. I’m a very detribalize Nigerian with friends and associates that have come in contact with me all over the world. This is an historic moment for Akwa Ibom that will mark the transition from a more distinguished administration to another epoch making that will consolidate and sustain the uncommon transformation of the present administration. It is time to move Akwa Ibom forward and bring to pass the industrialization. I hereby declare to serve my people in Akwa Ibom State. There were goodwill messages to add spice. Chief Ndueso Essien reaffirmed the commitment of Eket Senatorial District to present Mr Udom Emmanuel as their sole candidate. Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien who also spoke for the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, who without minding his words told the mammoth crowd that the entire delegates of their District have vowed to vote Udom Emmanuel alone in the forthcoming PDP primaries. When Senator Anietie Okon, the first PDP national publicity secretary , a renowned leader from Uyo Senatorial District spoke, he reminded the people of Uyo , that power has rotated to Eket Senatorial District , and any aspirant who hails from Uyo should go and rest till 2023 when power will return to Uyo Senatorial District. He noted that equity and Justice are essential tools for peace and progress. Her Excellency, Mrs Atim Okpoyo who spoke on behalf of the Oro Nation and women admonished Udom to see the mandate given freely to him as energizer to outperform his would be successor. He should not misuse the trust and confidence reposed on him. “You are too brilliant to fail; your government will turn the state with distinction but remember the women. Governor Akpabio gave us 35 percent, I hereby ask you to do more”. she added. The first lady Mrs Ekaete unoma Akpabio ,who is now phenomenal in all events , started her goodwill message with song rendition. The first lady told the people that she supported the aspiration Udom Emmanuel because of his excellent sense of humility and expertise. She called on the entire women of the State to support Udom Emmanuel’s aspiration, as she urged Udom to increase the women quota in his government. Mrs Ekaette thanked the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District for adopting her husband as the sole candidate for the Ikot Ekpene senatorial election and President Jonathan’s second term presidential election. Akwa Ibom entertainers also were in good number at the venue of declaration, Ime Bishop who is popular known as Okon Lagos spoke on their behalf, comically he urged the people to support Udom Emmanuel that he is the best material for the forthcoming guber election. Udom Emmanuel’s declaration ceremony was beyond colourful and a huge success. It nailed the final coffin on the negative rumours of the unpopularity of Udom Emmanuel.
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 18:34:52 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015