By Theresa Donatus, Uyo
Governor Udom Emmanuel’s ward, Oniong East ward 1, Ikot Akpatek , Onna local government area of Akwa Ibom State has thrown it’s weight behind Pastor Umo Eno, and have adopted him as the sole candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the 2023 gubernatorial elections in the State.
It could be recalled that gov Emmanuel had on January announced his former commissioner for lands and water resources, Umo Eno as his preferred successor in 2023, a decision which has generated mixed reactions.
However, PDP members and stakeholders in Onna, at the end of a general meeting over the weekend unanimously adopted Pst. Eno as their preferred aspirant considering his pedigree.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, the leader of the ward, Obong Barr. Akaninyene Idem noted that all other interests in the party have been subsumed in the aspiration of Pst Eno.
According to him, “The essence of the meeting was to formally adopt the preferred candidate of our party, pastor Umo Eno as the choice of this ward, that means all other interests have been subsumed under that preferred candidacy of the governor of this state.
“As loyal party members of PDP, the governor has given us the direction and indication of who he finds fit to succeed him, and we are part and parcel of that succession plan. The ward today unanimously adopted Umo Eno as the sole candidate for the election, we have no other Aspirant and that is our decision.”
The leader noted that the decision was in tandem with the constitution as it allows for either direct primaries or for consensus, noting that it does not foreclose the fact that other aspirants can go and consult even as he added, “here we have our preferred aspirant.”
Also speaking, the General Overseer of, His Divine Redeemed World Ministries, Apostle Dr Elijah A. Jack who is also from the ward, said looking at Pst Eno’s resume and track record of entrepreneurial achievements, he had no option than to adopt and support him also.
According to him, “Apart from being a fellow pastor, it was upon the basis of what Umo Eno has done, his achievements outside government, a sound entrepreneur who has employed thousands of people that made me to adopt him.
“I’m supporting Pastor Umo Eno, because he has the capacity to carry everyone along, he is an entrepreneur, and very industrious son of the land for Uyo senatorial district which the gubernatorial is zoned, I strongly believe that Pastor Umo Eno will govern us well and sustain the industrialization projects of our dear Governor, HE Udom Emmanuel.
“I feel that the governor did not make a mistake by choosing him. The governor is a man of God and we want anyone that will succeed him to be a man of God.”
The clergy donated a sum of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira to the party at the ward level for the registration of members into the people’s democratic party (PDP) platform.
“yes I gave that token to the the party for registration because I don’t like a situation where people struggle to achieve something that I know I have the capacity to do.
“I don’t know the governor one on one or the Aspirant but it is my little way of supporting the party at the ward level.”
