Aides of Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno have sparked controversy by claiming that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will utilize funds from the national treasury to ensure victory in the upcoming local government elections scheduled for Saturday. It’s brewing.
According to Premium Times, the political advisor to the governor, Mr. Godwin Ntukude, made this declaration during a PDP election rally held in Ikono Local Government Area on October 3.
Addressing the rally, Mr Ntukude said: “I heard that a man said he would invest money in this election,” apparently referring to Emmanuel Ukpong Udo, the federal lawmaker representing Ikono-Ini Federal Constituency. he said.
“One man’s money and the state government’s finances.
“Who is that person trying to deceive you? Tell him that the Akwa Ibom State Government wants to take back Ikono Local Government Area. We are here to reclaim Ikono Local Government Area for unity and fundamental blessings,” Ntukude added.
Mr Ukpong Udo, a two-term lawmaker and member of the Youth Progressive Party (YPP), is said to enjoy significant support in Ikono and Ini local government areas of Akwa Ibom. He defeated PDP candidate Glory Edet in the 2023 general election.
He was initially elected on the platform of the PDP, but he split with the PDP after the party appeared reluctant to renominate him for a second term.
Ntukude said the PDP would do everything possible to win the Ikono Local Government elections.
“No matter what else happens, no matter what happens, we, as children of Ibibio, will stand up to protect Ikono from one man. Against one man! That’s all I can say .
“We, the children of Ibibio and the daughters of Ibibio, together with these powerful people, Mr. (Mr. Okoko was pulled before the rostrum), we are here to rescue the icon for a fundamental blessing, and restore the lost glory.
“Governor Akwa Ibom State is the son of Ibibio. Instead of you humiliating him, we will put our foot down for you,” the governor’s aide told PDP members and supporters in the crowd. spoke in support of the governor.
Mr Ntukude said Mr Ikono remained a “pain in the face” of Ibibio country as far as politics were concerned.
“Forget about Abuja. Abuja is too far,” he said, appearing to send a message to YPP federal lawmaker Ukpong Udo. “We will protect the safety of land, air, and water.”
Mr Ukponwude, a member of Congress, issued a statement on Friday condemning Mr Ntukude’s comments as “inflammatory and defenseless”.
He said Ntukude’s comments were “unbecoming” of his position as a political advisor to the governor and were “dangerously damaging” to him and the governor’s office.
“This is a direct attack on the integrity of the governor, who has consistently maintained his position of ensuring free, fair, and credible elections in our state.”
“In his reckless rant, Ntukude claimed that the state government, not the PDP, was ‘coming to take back Ikono Local Government’ and criticized the use of the state’s security apparatus, ‘air, land and sea’. – to achieve their political goals.
“Furthermore, he brazenly declared that he would use the ‘state government’s treasury’ for the election, suggesting that the resources of the people of this state would be used for partisan purposes.”
The lawmaker said politicians are required to act with utmost maturity and responsibility as Ikono is a volatile region. He called on security agencies to heed Ntukude’s comments and hold him accountable if violence erupts during the election.
“If you truly believe you have the support of the people, you should feel safe coming to the polls and letting the people choose. “We challenge Mr. Ntukude and others like him who promote free, fair and transparent elections where people can win,” he said.
