Akwa Ibom PDP tired of elections, says Gov. Emmanuel

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State on Saturday declared that the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “is tired of conducting elections”.
Emmanuel spoke during the programme for the Eket Senatorial District (ESD), Mega Rally in Eket Township Stadium.
He said that since he came on board, detractors had not allowed him to concentrate on developing the state to an enviable height.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had in December, 2015 nullified the Akwa Ibom State governorship election of April 11.
At the election tribunal, Emmanuel had secured partial victory with the election cancelled only in 18 out of the state’s 31 local government areas.
Meanwhile, the Appeal Court nullified the election and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh election within 90 days.
The governor said: “since last year, we have not done anything, most of our people have not gone to farm, every year we are conducting elections.
“We are tired of elections, we want development, we don’t want elections, we can’t do elections for two years.’’
Emmanuel, however, expressed confidence that Supreme Court would upturn the Appeal Court judgement, which nullified his election.
“We are ready to defend this mandate, we have full confidence in the supreme court of Nigeria because Supreme Court is equal to justice, that is why we are not afraid,’’ he said.
Emmanuel said that the election that brought him as the governor of the state stood on equity, justice and unity of the state.
Also speaking, Chief Paul Ekpo, state Chairman of PDP, said that Eket Senatorial District would support democracy in the state.
Ekpo thanked the Eket Senatorial District for not disappointing the party in the last governorship election in the state.
He, however, expressed confidence that the Gov. Emmanuel of governor PDP would perform than any other governorship candidates in the state.
“I am very happy the district gave us a credible candidate that the PDP took over and today things are getting better in Akwa Ibom.
“Today the uncommon development of Akwa Ibom is sustained; today we are proud of you as a party, we say congratulations,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr Nduesse Essien, the Chairman of the occasion, said that the rally was to give unflinching and unalloyed support to Gov. Emmanuel that was elected as governor in the April 11, 2015 elections.
He reassured that the district would always stand by the governor before, during and after the election process.
Essien stated that the emergence of the governor was the mandate of people, adding that the crowd present at the event showed the level of support given to the governor.
“I want to assure you and to encourage you to remain steadfast and wait for whatever happens; we will be up to the task and we will succeed,’’ Essien said.