“Do not impose a person we do not want on us”_ A’ Ibom youths tell party elders
Akwa Ibom youths in the South-South Assembly have resolved to adopt and support the member representing Etinan Federal Constituency and one-time Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Onofiok Luke, in his governorship aspiration.
Consequently, they have resolved to reject Governor Emmanuel’s endorsement of Pastor Umo Eno for the People Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election.
This is contained in a resolution signed by Victor Sage Thompson on behalf of Akwa Ibom Youths Mandate and made available to journalists in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
According to the youths, Luke remains the most credible and suitable governor for Akwa Ibom state in 2023.
They recalled the recent pronouncement of the governor in the PDP stakeholders meeting at the Government House where the Commissioner for Lands Pastor Umo Eno was endorsed against other aspirants, reasoning that such action was capable of shortchanging the over six million Akwa Ibom people and mortgaging their destinies.
“We need a man that we can relate with as a young person. We need someone who is young at heart, who is young in age, who is young in experience, someone who is young and can relate with the young people of Akwa Ibom State because we believe that young people in Akwa Ibom State make up more than 60% of the population in the State”.
The youths said they will not challenge the Elders in their endorsement episode but plead for an opportunity to decide for their future.
“We have come to a decision that at this point, we are not going to throw away our elders, we are not going to fight our elders and we are not going to kick out our elders but we are only going to tell our elders to give us a chance to grow as young people.
“We are only going to tell them, please do not impose a person we do not want on us, because that is the essence of democracy, allowing the people to choose who will lead them”.
He, therefore, implored the youths to look beyond immediate gains and mobilize to bring Hon. Onofiok Luke to govern the state as an experienced public servant who had worked in various capacities as Speaker student parliament, House of Assembly member and Speaker Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and now Member House of Representatives and Chairman House Committee on Judiciary.
“Whatever decision we have taken now is the decision that will stay with us for the next 8 years and it is going to affect our generation yet unborn.”
“This is not a gathering of senseless people rather it is a gathering of forward-thinking upwardly Akwa Ibom youths and we are here to make history.”
“And let us rise up and stand together as young people of Akwa Ibom State to choose a man after our heart, let us rise up and stand together to reject the imposition of a foreign candidate against the will of the people”. he said
