APC founding members, others endorse Ita Enang as party sole candidate in Akwa Ibom
The founding members and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State have risen in one accord to endorse the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang as their sole candidate for the gubernatorial race in 2023, in the state.
The group under the aegis Forum of APC Foundation Members led by Mr. Emmanuel Andy, the group unanimously adopted Ita Enang as “a man of conscience”, who has the pedigree and the interest of the state at heart.
Speaking at the meeting the former chapter chairmen, stakeholders, and leaders including Emman Andy, Comrade Idara Udoh, Mfon Ukpe, Ekereobong Afia, among others, recounted their woes and frustrations in the party.
They recalled how they visited Ita Enang in 2019 in Abuja, requesting his intervention to rebuild the party in the state. They recounted as well how Ita Enang built the party in 2019 for the aspiration of Obong Nsima Ekere, using his influence and ensuring the harmonization, integration, and unity of all interests in the party.
Also speaking, the Federal Commissioner representing Akwa Ibom State at the Federal Character Commission, Obonganwan Dora Ebong said Ita Enang had long prepared himself for the task ahead and encouraged the people not to relent in working for the progress of the party.
Responding, Senator Ita Enang who described the people as the ‘founders, progenitors and trustees of APC in Akwa Ibom State’ noted that it was time for God to wipe away their tears and sorrows in the party.
Senator Enang who thanked God that Governor Udom Emmanuel has extended an invitation to the APC to come and take over the state assured the people that he was ready to lead the state through the unity and progress in APC.
“The sufferings and the pains you’ve gone through at the various stages of the party is over and this time, you shall reap the fruits of your labour.
“Stephen Ntukekpo is now the chairman of the party in the state and all other sections of the party must come under the leadership of the brand new party chairman and work together for results.
“I thank you today for identifying me as one man whom the cap fits to run for the governorship election of our dear state in 2023.
“So, the APC is fortunate because the campaign manager who is the current Governor of Akwa Ibom state has done so well by his actions of poor governance which becomes not only assurance but also a clear invitation that the APC should come and take over the governance of the state.
“You are asking for the harmonization, integration, peace, and assimilation of everybody to move as one united family to contest and contend against the PDP. It takes patriotism and love to reach this decision.
“We have heard the cries of the party faithful who have called on us to come together to build the party in the state. We have agreed to unconditionally come together.
“Above all, we are more touched by the cries of the people of the state whose main hope is in the APC to be in power so as to give them the proper leadership they have yearned for”, Ita Enang said.
Other dignitaries present at the meeting were: the former Chapter chairman of Nsit, Elder Okpok, Comrade Thomas Thomas, Comrade Ime Silas, all former chapter chairmen, secretaries, women leaders, as well as youth leaders.