AKWA IBOM 2011: ATTAH ENDORSES UDOEDEHE
Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, yesterday declared his support for Senator John Udoedehe, endorsing him as the most preferred candidate for the upcoming 2011 governorship election in the state. He urged the youths to challenge anyone in the way of true democracy, stressing that they should desist from allowing cultists and people with questionable characters to rule the state.
Attah made this comment yesterday at an interactive session with the Akwa Ibom Progressive Youth Forum and the distinguished Senator John Udoedehe, at the Cultural Hall, National Theatre, Lagos.
He claimed that Akwa Ibom was a failed state under the leadership of the incumbent leader, Governor Goodwill Akpabio, who had allegely brought about disunity and underdevelopment in the state, even stating that projects being commissioned now in the state were executed during his time as governor of the state.
Attah further registered his dissatisfaction with the achievement of Gov. Akpabio's administration, urging Senator Udoedehe to refrain from any act that would undermine his good image and maintain the path to bring about change that would restore the state to normalcy.
Also, the President, Akwa Ibom Progressive Youth Forum, Malachi Ichie, declared support of his group for the senator: 'We want to assure you of our strong support that come May 29, 2011, by the grace of God, you will be sworn in as the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State.'
He further declared the yearning of the youth forum for a credible leader who would transform the state and attend to the interest of the youths, so as to give them a voice in the governance of the state.
But, the youth leader did not fail to acknowledge the achievements of the incumbent governor, Dr. Akpabio, and also challenged Senator Udoedehe that they expected him to surpass Akpabio's good record if he was elected the governor.
His words: I will not fail to acknowledge the monumental achievement of His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Chief Dr. Obong Godswill Akpabio. In just three (3) years he has built roads, free education, independent power project, e-learning centres, free medical education, underground erosion control etc. my distinguished senator sir, we expect that you break this record if you become the governor in May 29 , 2011.'
He also urged President Goodluck Jonathan to adopt electoral reforms as the only panacea for free and fair election in 2011 which would enable their vote to count and the process of producing the next governor of Akwa Ibom State to be transparent.