Nsima Ekere, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate in Akwa Ibom, has pledged to run a reformed, open and inclusive government, if elected.
Ekere, a former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Managing Director, made the pledge during his interactive session with indigenes of the state in Abuja and 19 northern states.
He said that if elected, he would be make governance more accountable to the people. “My manifesto is hinged on five pillars of change to the people of Akwa Ibom. These are economic prosperity, security, infrastructure and rural development, education, health and institutional reforms.”
He said that as at Sunday night, he had toured the 28 local government areas of the state and received their endorsement.
“The people are totally dissatisfied with the current state government and they have made up their minds to embrace the APC change and President Muhammadu Buhari.
He also pledged that if elected, he would increase students bursary from N5,000 to N25,000, while the state local governments would enjoy financial autonomy.
Ekere advised the security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties and their candidates to play by the rules in the forthcoming elections in the state.
The highlight of the meeting was the motion moved by Mr Tommy Okon, the President, Akwa Ibom Community, Abuja chapter, for the adoption of Ekere as the choice of all the people of Akwa Ibom in the 19 northern states and Abuja.
The motion, seconded by Lady Carolyne Ndaeyo and unanimously affirmed in a voice vote was said to be a reflection of what was happening in the state.
Sen. Godswill Akpabio, former governor and former Senate Minority Leader, said that the endorsement meant a lot to the APC Akwa Ibom chapter.
“What this means is that every Akwa Ibom indigene in the North has come to say that Ekere and President Muhammadu Buhari should be re-elected in the coming elections.
He added that a vote for the APC in Akwa Ibom would guarantee goodwill in the state.
Sen. Ita Enang, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, urged the people to go back home and vote for Buhari and Ekere in the forthcoming elections.
He said that Buhari had done a lot for Akwa Ibom, including construction of roads and building of power infrastructure to deserve re-election by the people of the state.
Enang said that Buhari’s re-election would bring about more development to the state.
An party chieftain in the state, Sen. John Udoedehe, said that the endorsement was borne out of the conviction that change was needed and urged the people to go back home and vote APC so that the state’s problems could be resolved.