The All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Akwa
Ibom State, and Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development
Commission (NDDC), Mr Nsima Ekere has promised economic reforms in the
state, saying he will banish poverty when he becomes governor.
Speaking today in Uyo during the flag-off of his campaigns in the
state, Ekere said he will build on five pillars which include economic
prosperity, education, social security, governmental reforms and
infrastructural development among others.
He said Akwa Ibom people have no business being poor, stating that he
was ready to return the state to the path of prosperity while building
on the achievements of past governors of the state.
He stated that the occasion signaled the beginning of a march towards
peace and development of the state, adding that the campaigns should
be focused on performance and not used to divide the people of the
state.
He noted that the APC led FG has the most sophisticated social
protection programme in the history of the country, adding that his
administration would domesticate same in the state.
“Today marks the beginning of our march to a new dawn. You are here
because you believe in change, because you believe that Akwa Ibom
state must be taken to the next level.
“The change we are bringing to Akwa Ibom will be anchored on five
pillars: It shall be anchored on the economic prosperity of Akwa Ibom
state. For a start, we shall enable the economy by investing in public
works to thrive and create enabling environment for investment. We
shall invest in education, bealth and social protection.
“With all the endowments that God has given us, we shall banish
poverty in this state and build on the achievements of past governors.
“Campaigns should be about performance. Please do not bring divisions
among Akwa Ibom people. Let us be careful that politics does not
divide us as a people. Politics is not about religion; preach peace,
unity, hard work; stop lying and spreading lies over the state and
causing problems,” he said.
Also speaking, former governor of the state, Senator Godswill Akpabio
denied that his administration left a huge debt burden in the state,
describing Ekere as liberal and that he wants him to take over the
leadership of the state as a governor.
Akpabio who expressed confidence that President Muhammadu Buhari would
win the Presidential elections and urged the electorates to vote for
the APC inorder to return the state to the same government at the
centre.
He said the administration of President Buhari has placed many people
in the state and the South-South geo-political zone in places of
authority in government.
The Director General of the APC gubernatorial campaign and
Presidential Aide, Senator Ita Enang described Ekere as the candidate
that would instill accountability and transparency in the governance
of the state.
Former APC guber candidate in Akwa Ibom and Chairman of the Oil and
Gas Free Zone Mr Umana Umana expressed confidence over the success of
the party in the 2019 polls.
APC chieftain in Rivers state, Chief Magnus Abe described Ekere as a
hardworking person who have worked and been involved in several
projects in Rivers state, and as NDDC chairman transformed the
commission and endeared it to the hearts of the people of Niger Delta.
Abe said Ekere would bring his midas touch to bear on the
socio-economic fortunes of the state when he becomes governor.